Two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid from Mexico to Cuba reached Havana on Saturday after disappearing en route and prompting days of searching. The crew of nine, which included a four-year-old boy and citizens from the United States, France and Germany, appeared in good health and spirits on arrival.
The vessels had departed from Isla Mujeres in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo last week, carrying the final shipments of the Nuestra America Convoy. They were delivering aid amid severe shortages in Cuba linked to a tightened US embargo and were expected in Havana on Tuesday or Wednesday before failing to arrive and triggering a search-and-rescue effort.
Adnaan Stumo, the 33-year-old American coordinator of the convoy, apologized for causing concern and said: “We were never in any real danger. It was not a very difficult journey. It’s just a circuitous journey.” He added the convoy showed international solidarity with the Cuban people “in the face of this criminal blockade.”
The boats were welcomed in port by dozens of Cubans, including officials, chanting “long live the revolution!” and “down with imperialism!”
Mexico’s navy said a maritime surveillance aircraft spotted the sailboats about 80 nautical miles (roughly 148 kilometers) northwest of Cuba. Reuters quoted the navy saying the vessels had been slowed by unfavorable weather. A Mexican ship escorted them to Havana to ensure a safe arrival. Stumo said the sailors were not worried but appreciated the navy’s search.
A Nuestra America Convoy spokesperson told Reuters the mission to deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid to the Cuban people remains on track. Nuestra America is a coalition of about 300 organizations from more than 30 countries. It has delivered roughly 20 tons of aid to Cuba by air and sea, including food, medicine, solar panels and bicycles.
The shipments come as Cuba faces shortages after US President Donald Trump imposed what has been described as a de facto oil blockade in January, following the ousting of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro. Trump has also threatened tariffs against countries supplying Cuba with oil and renewed warnings on Friday, saying “Cuba is next.”
Edited by: Darko Janjevic and Wesley Dockery