Oil refinery ablaze in Cuba as fuel crisis deepens

BBC News - WorldEN 2 min read 100% complete February 14, 2026 at 04:03 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

A fire broke out at the Ñico López Refinery in Havana, Cuba, on Friday, but was quickly brought under control with no injuries reported. The incident occurred amidst a deepening fuel crisis in Cuba, exacerbated by the US blocking Venezuelan oil shipments. Venezuela previously supplied Cuba with approximately 35,000 barrels of oil daily before the US seized tankers and imposed tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba. This shortage has led to electricity cuts impacting essential services and fuel rationing, prompting airlines to suspend services and travel warnings from some countries. While Cuba faces these challenges, two Mexican ships arrived with humanitarian aid, and the UN has criticized US restrictions on oil imports as economic coercion.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United Kingdom ×230% Mexico 30% Volker Türk 30% UN ×240% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) 50% Donald Trump 50% Ñico López Refinery 60% Venezuela ×670% Havana ×270% United States ×580% Cuba ×1290%

Keywords

fuel crisis 100% cuba 90% oil refinery fire 90% oil embargo 80% venezuela 70% fuel rationing 60% economic coercion 50% humanitarian aid 50% energy ministry 40%