Mexico’s navy has launched a search and rescue mission to track down two boats shipping humanitarian aid to Cuba as part of the Nuestra América Convoy, after they failed to reach Havana.

Three boats left Isla Mujeres in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo last Friday – after a weather-related delay – but only one has arrived so far, docking at dawn on 24 March.

No communication from the two missing boats has been received. The sail should only take two or three days on average – but seven days have now passed.

Organisers, however, say that according to their calculations, which take into account the size of the boats and conditions at sea, the vessels are likely to arrive on 27 or 28 March.

Staffed by nine sailors from Poland, France, Cuba and the US, the boats – named Friendship and Tigger Moth – were taking rice, baby wipes, beans, baby formula, medicine and other supplies to Cuba amid a US-imposed oil embargo and energy crisis.

“The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signalling equipment,” a spokesperson for the convoy told Reuters. “We are cooperating fully with the authorities and remain confident in the crews’ ability to reach Havana safely.”

Mexico has deployed naval teams and military search aircraft to track down the missing two boats. It has also established contact with rescue centres from each country represented by the missing crew.

Earlier this week, the Cuban government welcomed the arrival of another boat that sailed in from Mexico carrying 14 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including solar panels, medicines and baby formula.

Upon arrival, Brazilian activist Thiago Avila told Novara Media: “We are going to mobilise for the just causes in this world – just as Cuba always did.”

Avila added that the flotilla is a “gesture of solidarity” that the world will not leave Cuba to fend for itself amid the US’s oil blockade.

Sophia Sheera is a journalist in Novara Media’s social media team.

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