Managua - The Embassy of the United States in Nicaragua has issued a clarification of a previous statement which reported that there was a lack of fuel in Nicaragua, as a result of a fire in the storage tanks of Puma Energy, in Puerto Sandino.

The clarification statement indicates that there is no evidence that there will be fuel shortages in Nicaragua.

'We have seen media reports of a security statement sent to employees of the US Embassy in Nicaragua, which was published without sufficient information, only as a means of alert.'

'We have sent new communication to the US Embassy community updating, clarifying and correcting the previous one, explaining that although there is a fire, it was not expected that fuel distribution would be affected.'

The US explanatory note was divulged after the Nicaraguan Energy Institute (INE) said that oil supply in the country was fully guaranteed, and ruled out a shortage due to the fire.

The regulating body was responding to concerns regarding the safety and continuity of supply, expressed by various economic agents and consumers of oil derivatives.

According to the INE, the country's reserves exceed the minimum levels set by law.

It also points out that it will continue monitoring the situation in compliance with normal processes and will continue to supply petroleum products throughout the national territory.

Meanwhile, the authorities are working to control a raging fire sparked by an explosion in a fuel storage tank of the INE, which has already spread to another tank, with a capacity of 144 thousand barrels.

The incident occurred on Thursday at the Puma Energy facilities in Puerto Sandino, in the department of Leon, no fatalities have been reported.