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Blaze at Havana refinery quickly controlled
Thick plumes of black smoke rose from the Ñico López Refinery in Havana on Friday, but Cuban authorities confirmed the fire was swiftly brought under control with no injuries reported.
The country's energy ministry announced on X that an investigation into the incident has been launched. The fire broke out near two oil tankers docked in Havana Bay.
Fuel shortages worsen after US blocks Venezuelan oil
Cuba's ongoing fuel crisis has intensified following a US crackdown on Venezuela's oil shipments to the island. Venezuela, a key ally, previously supplied Cuba with approximately 35,000 barrels of oil daily.
That supply line was severed after US forces detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a January 3 raid in Caracas. The US also seized Venezuelan oil tankers and imposed new tariffs on nations selling oil to Cuba.
US pressure and humanitarian fallout
US President Donald Trump has demanded Cuban leaders negotiate a resolution, warning of further consequences if they refuse. The fuel shortage has triggered widespread disruptions, including power cuts affecting hospitals, dialysis patients, and water pumping stations.
Aviation fuel shortages have led airlines to suspend flights to Cuba, while the UK and other governments have advised against non-essential travel to the island.
Rationing and international response
Cuban authorities have implemented fuel rationing, reduced public services, and temporarily adjusted healthcare, education, and transport operations to conserve dwindling energy reserves, according to the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
On Thursday, two Mexican vessels carrying 800 tonnes of humanitarian aid arrived in Havana Bay as the crisis deepens.
UN condemns US embargo
United Nations human rights experts have criticized Washington's restrictions on oil imports to Cuba as an "extreme form of unilateral economic coercion."
"I am extremely concerned about the worsening crisis in Cuba,"
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
The US has maintained economic and trade embargoes on Cuba since 1960, further straining the island's access to essential resources.
