Overview
- Mexico's navy launched an international search on Thursday after losing contact with two aid sailboats bound for Cuba, then organizers said the boats were located and the nine crew members were safe.
- The vessels, identified as Friend Ship and Tiger Moth, were later seen near Havana after a navy aircraft spotted them offshore and established radio contact while a support ship moved to assist.
- Both boats are part of the Nuestra America flotilla carrying about 50 tonnes of medical supplies, food and solar panels to relieve shortages in Cuba.
- Another flotilla vessel delivered more than 20 tonnes earlier in the week, and a separate Mexican navy ship arrived with 111 tonnes of food and other goods as part of Mexico's ongoing aid effort.
- Confusion over the boats' status included a U.S. Coast Guard statement that was later updated, while Cuba's president said authorities were doing all they could, reflecting urgent needs from fuel shortfalls and power cuts on the island.