Two Cuba-bound aid ships missing

A search and rescue operation is under way in the Caribbean for two missing sailboats filled with humanitarian supplies travelling from Mexico to Cuba.

Mexico has deployed naval teams and military search aircraft to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were carrying at least nine crew members, the Mexican navy said in a statement.

The vessels had been expected to arrive in Havana on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them and no confirmation of their arrival, the navy said.

Cuba has relied heavily on Mexico's humanitarian shipments over recent weeks, as the country struggles through multiple nationwide blackouts under the US energy blockade.

The two missing ships departed Isla Mujeres, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo on 20 March.

The nine crew members are from Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has established contact with maritime rescue coordination centres from each country along with their diplomatic representatives.

"The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signalling equipment," the convoy's spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters.

"We are co-operating fully with the authorities and remain confident in the crews' ability to reach Havana safely."