Of politics and preparation in Cuban physics

Rodríguez, Fajer, and Baracca reply: It is a pleasure to see that scientists continuing their academic careers abroad are grateful for the high-quality education they received at Cuban public universities. In the times Juana Acrivos remembers, the number of university students was very small and a degree in physics was not yet offered, but there were two mixed programs: in physico-chemical and physico-mathematical sciences. Extensive access to universities, degree programs in physics, postgraduate studies, research, connections to industry and the health system, and so forth came later, with the revolutionary transformations of the 1960s. The selection of research directions was, and still is, a highly participative process involving physicists, students, and colleagues from many different countries. The vision and stimulus of some government leaders also played a very important and encouraging role.

At the beginning of the 1990s, changes in the international arena interrupted a 30-year process of growth and development of Cuban physics, which has returned only in recent years. Looking for better economic conditions, some physicists left the field or the country: Cuba experienced the so-called brain drain that affected so many countries. It had been almost nonexistent in Cuba until the 1990s.

We hope our article has provided a vision of Cuban reality, an alternative to reiterated diatribes and disinformation. We invite bona fide scientists to engage in free academic exchange based on mutual respect, understanding, and scientific interest.