A fireplace at a key gasoline refinery within the capital comes amid Cuba’s mounting gasoline emergency attributable to US-imposed restrictions.
Revealed On 14 Feb 2026
A fireplace broke out at a key gasoline processing plant within the Cuban capital Havana, threatening to exacerbate an vitality disaster because the nation struggles beneath an oil blockade imposed by the United States.
A big plume of smoke was seen rising above Havana Bay from the Nico Lopez refinery on Friday, drawing the eye of the capital’s residents earlier than fading as fireplace crews fought to deliver the scenario beneath management.
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Cuba’s Ministry of Power and Mines mentioned the fireplace, which erupted in a warehouse on the refinery, was finally extinguished and that “the trigger is beneath investigation”. There have been no accidents and the fireplace didn’t unfold to close by areas, the ministry mentioned in a submit on social media.
“The workday on the Nico Lopez Refinery continues with full normalcy,” the ministry mentioned.
The placement of the fireplace was near the place two oil tankers had been moored in Havana’s harbour.
Cuba, which has been in a extreme financial disaster for years, relied closely on oil imports from Venezuela, which have been lower off for the reason that abduction of the nation’s chief Nicolas Maduro by United States forces final month.
US President Donald Trump has additionally threatened Cuba’s authorities and handed a latest government order permitting for commerce tariffs on any nation that provides oil to the island.
The nation has seen widespread energy outages as a result of lack of gasoline. Bus and prepare companies have been lower, some inns have closed, colleges and universities have been restricted, and public sector employees are on a four-day work week. Staffing at hospitals was additionally in the reduction of.
United Nations Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres warned final week of a humanitarian “collapse” in Cuba if its vitality wants go unmet.
On Thursday, two Mexican navy vessels carrying greater than 800 tonnes of humanitarian help arrived in Havana, underscoring the nation’s rising want for humanitarian help amid the tightening US stranglehold on gasoline.
Consultants in maritime transport monitoring instructed the AFP information company that no international gasoline or oil tankers have arrived in Cuba in weeks.
Cuba can solely produce about one-third of its complete gasoline necessities.
Cuba’s Deputy Overseas Minister Carlos de Cossio accused the US of finishing up “large punishment” in opposition to the Cuban individuals in a submit on social media Friday.
Cuba requires imports of gasoline and “the US is making use of threats [and] coercive measures in opposition to any nation that gives it”, the deputy minister mentioned.
“Lack of gasoline harms transportation, medical companies, education, vitality, manufacturing of meals, the usual of residing,” he mentioned.
“Large punishment is a criminal offense,” he added.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has mentioned her authorities seeks to “open the doorways for dialogue to develop” between Cuba and the US and has criticised Washington’s oil restrictions as “unfair”.
