Fire at Havana oil refinery as Cuba's fuel crisis deepens

"A fire broke out at a key fuel processing plant in the Cuban capital Havana, threatening to exacerbate an energy crisis as the country struggles under an oil blockade imposed by the United States. A large plume of smoke was seen rising above Havana Bay from the Nico Lopez refinery on Friday, drawing the attention of the capital's residents before fading as fire crews fought to bring the situation under control."

"Cuba's Ministry of Energy and Mines said the fire, which erupted in a warehouse at the refinery, was eventually extinguished and that the cause is under investigation. There were no injuries and the fire did not spread to nearby areas, the ministry said in a post on social media. The workday at the Nico Lopez Refinery continues with complete normalcy, the ministry said. The location of the fire was close to where two oil tankers were moored in Havana's harbour."

"Cuba, which has been in a severe economic crisis for years, relied heavily on oil imports from Venezuela, which have been cut off since the abduction of the country's leader Nicolas Maduro by United States forces last month. US President Donald Trump has also threatened Cuba's government and passed a recent executive order allowing for trade tariffs on any country that supplies oil to the island. The country has seen widespread power outages due to the lack of fuel."

A fire erupted in a warehouse at the Nico Lopez refinery in Havana, producing a large plume of smoke that was visible over Havana Bay. Fire crews extinguished the blaze with no injuries and prevented spread to nearby areas. The blaze occurred near two oil tankers moored in the harbour and is under investigation. Cuba faces a mounting fuel emergency after oil imports from Venezuela were cut off and amid US-imposed restrictions and threatened tariffs. Widespread power outages have led to reduced public transport, hotel closures, restricted education, four-day public workweeks, reduced hospital staffing, and warnings of a humanitarian collapse.

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