A hearth at a key gasoline refinery within the capital comes amid Cuba’s mounting gasoline emergency on account of US-imposed restrictions.
Printed On 14 Feb 2026
A hearth 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 US.
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 hearth crews fought to convey 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 situation 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 reduce off because the 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 providers have been reduce, some accommodations have closed, colleges and universities have been restricted, and public sector staff are on a four-day work week. Staffing at hospitals was additionally reduce.
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 overseas gasoline or oil tankers have arrived in Cuba in weeks.
Cuba can solely produce about one-third of its whole gasoline necessities.
Cuba’s Deputy International Minister Carlos de Cossio accused the US of finishing up “large punishment” in opposition to the Cuban folks 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 providers, education, vitality, manufacturing of meals, the usual of dwelling,” he mentioned.
“Large punishment is against the law,” 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”.
