Two humanitarian aid catamarans sailing under the Polish flag departed Mexico for Cuba on March 20th, with their arrival initially unconfirmed.
Missing Vessels Located
Two catamarans carrying humanitarian aid to Cuba departed Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico on March 20th. The Mexican Navy reported on its website that the vessels were expected to arrive in Havana on March 24th or 25th, but as of Wednesday evening, “there was no news or confirmation that they had arrived at their destination.”
The Mexican Navy launched a search operation to locate the boats. According to a statement and an article in the Colombian newspaper “El Tiempo,” citizens of several countries, including Poland, were on board.
Polish Citizen Status Confirmed
Maciej Wewiór, a spokesperson for the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed to “Gazeta Wyborcza” that the ships were indeed sailing under the Polish flag. However, he added that information from the consul did not indicate any Polish citizens were aboard.
U.S. Coast Guard Reports Safe Arrival
The U.S. Coast Guard reported on Friday that both vessels had safely reached Cuba, according to the AFP news agency.
Cuba Faces Deepening Crisis
The missing vessels were part of the Nuestra America international humanitarian convoy. They carried approximately 50 tons of supplies, including food, medical materials, and solar panels.
Cuba is experiencing a worsening economic crisis, largely due to the U.S. embargo on oil imports from Venezuela and threats to other potential suppliers. The island is also still recovering from the devastating Hurricane Melissa, which struck between October and November 2025.
Healthcare System Paralysis
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated in an interview with Canal Red on Wednesday that the deepening energy crisis in Cuba is causing a paralysis of the healthcare system. Over 120,000 people are waiting for surgical procedures in hospitals.
The president emphasized that thousands of Cuban children are on the waiting list for operations. He explained that the healthcare system’s paralysis is due to “lack of supplies, as well as problems with electricity in hospitals.” Diaz-Canel praised the resilience and creativity of Cubans, noting that more residents are “coping with the lack of energy by using coal or wood to cook meals.”
Cuba experienced two nationwide power outages in March. Despite repairs in most regions, regular, multi-hour power and water outages continue.
