Two missing humanitarian aid boats safely reach Cuba after being located by Mexican Navy

Two missing humanitarian aid boats safely reach Cuba after being located by Mexican Navy
Sailboats Friendship and Tigger Moth, carrying humanitarian aid for Cuba and crewed by activists depart Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo state, Mexico, 21 March, 2026
Reuters

Two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid from Mexico arrived safely in Havana on Saturday, the Mexican Navy said, concluding a journey in which the vessels were delayed by bad weather and briefly reported missing.

The navy confirmed the sailboats docked safely in the Cuban capital after authorities monitored their final approach to the port.

After being reported missing on Thursday, a maritime surveillance aircraft spotted the sailboats on Friday, approximately 80 nautical miles (148 km) northwest of Cuba, the Mexican Navy said earlier on Saturday. The crews reported they were in good health but had been slowed by unfavourable weather, particularly winds.

The two boats are part of a convoy seeking to deliver food, medicine, baby formula and other supplies to the Caribbean's largest island, amid a U.S. blockade on shipments of oil and other supplies that has worsened power outages and led the state to ration services.

The sailboats went missing after leaving Mexico's Isla Mujeres last Saturday and had been expected to arrive in Havana between 24 and 25  March.

The Nuestra America - "Our America" in Spanish - coalition includes nearly 300 organisations from more than 30 countries, among them non-governmental groups, unions, political parties and lawmakers.

The group has delivered approximately 20 tons of aid by air and sea to Cuba, including food, medicine, solar panels and bicycles.

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