• The fire was swiftly contained in Cuba with no reported injuries
• The deepening fuel shortage is intensifying pressure on daily life

A blaze broke out at the Ñico López oil refinery in the Cuban capital, Havana, raising fresh concerns as the island grapples with a severe fuel crisis.

Footage shared on social media showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from the refinery site, but Cuban authorities said the fire was quickly brought under control without casualties or major damage, adding that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause.

The incident comes as Cuba faces an acute energy crunch following a drop in oil imports after U.S. restrictions on shipments from Venezuela, its main fuel supplier—leading to supply shortages and widespread disruptions to electricity, transport, and energy services.

The dwindling fuel reserves have also created a shortage of aviation fuel, prompting several airlines to suspend flights to and from the country, while humanitarian aid shipments from Mexico carrying hundreds of tons of essential supplies have arrived at the port in an effort to ease the crisis.