Blast forces shutdown of Venezuela's second-largest oil refinery

A major explosion ripped through one of Venezuela's primary oil refineries, triggering an immediate suspension of activities at the facility. The blast damaged critical infrastructure at the complex, which ranks as the nation's second-largest refining operation by capacity.

Venezuela's energy sector has faced mounting challenges in recent years, with production levels declining sharply amid economic deterioration and international sanctions. The refinery closure further constrains the country's ability to process crude oil and generate crucial export revenues.

Authorities have not disclosed whether the explosion resulted from maintenance failures, structural defects, or other causes. The incident comes at a time when Venezuela's government is seeking to stabilize its economy through energy production, making the refinery's temporary shutdown a significant blow to national oil output.

The suspension is expected to impact both domestic fuel supplies and Venezuela's limited export capacity. Officials have announced they are assessing damage at the facility to determine when operations can safely resume.