A fire has broken out at a key fuel processing plant in Havana, Cuba’s capital, threatening to exacerbate the country’s energy crisis. Oil blockade imposed by the United States.
A large plume of smoke billowing from the Nico Lopez refinery over Havana Bay on Friday drew the attention of residents of the capital and gradually dissipated as firefighters struggled to control the situation.
Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines said the fire in the refinery warehouse was eventually extinguished and “the cause is under investigation.” There were no casualties and the fire did not spread to nearby areas, the ministry said in a social media post.
“Working days at the Nico Lopez Refinery are completely normal,” the ministry said.
The fire broke out near two oil tankers anchored in Havana port.
Cuba, which has been mired in a severe economic crisis for years, relies heavily on oil imports from Venezuela, which have been cut off since the country’s leader was kidnapped. Nicolás Maduro It was carried out by the US military last month.
U.S. President Donald Trump has also threatened the Cuban government and recently passed an executive order allowing trade tariffs to be imposed on any country that supplies oil to Cuba.
The country experienced widespread power outages due to a lack of fuel. Bus and train services have been cut, some hotels have been closed, schools and universities have been restricted and public sector workers are working a four-day week. Hospital staffing has also been cut.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last week that Cuba’s humanitarianism will “collapse” if its energy needs are not met.
On February 13, 2026, a fire broke out at the Nico Lopez Refinery in Havana and black smoke erupted, and people were fishing. [Yamil Lage/AFP]
On Thursday, two Mexican navy ships The arrival of more than 800 tons of humanitarian aid in Havana highlights the country’s growing need for humanitarian aid as the United States tightens its control over fuel.
No foreign fuel or oil tankers have arrived in Cuba for weeks, experts on maritime transport tracking told AFP.
Cuba can only produce about one-third of its total fuel needs.
Carlos DeCosio, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Blame the United States A post on social media on Friday suggested “massive punishment” for the Cuban people.
Cuba needs to import fuel, ‘U.S. is threatening [and] Enforcement measures will be taken against any country that provides such services,” the deputy minister said.
“Lack of fuel harms transport, health services, schooling, energy, food production and living standards,” he said.
“Massive punishment is a crime,” he added.
Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum said her government seeks to “open the door for the development of dialogue” between Cuba and the United States and criticized Washington’s oil restrictions as “unfair.”