Overview
- The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported the Friday fire was controlled in a warehouse area and that the cause is under investigation.
- Authorities said the flames did not spread to other parts of the facility and the refinery continues operating.
- A dense column of black smoke was visible across the Bay of Havana as the blaze burned near two anchored tankers.
- The Ñico López plant is one of Cuba’s three refineries, with reported capacity of about 36,400 barrels per day.
- The incident occurred during a deep fuel shortage driven by curtailed Venezuelan supplies and U.S. pressure on suppliers, with two Mexican Navy aid ships having berthed in the bay a day earlier.