Dr. Oscar Agustín de la Caridad Almazán del Olmo, a distinguished figure in Cuba's sugar industry, died on Thursday, July 3, at the age of 86. The University of Oriente mourned his passing with a statement that evening, describing his loss as "a tremendous void in Cuban science."
Born in 1940, Almazán del Olmo committed his professional life to the Cuban Institute of Research on Sugar Cane Derivatives (ICIDCA), an organization established in 1963 focused on the comprehensive utilization of sugar cane and its by-products, including alcohols, biofuels, resins, and bionutrients.
The University of Oriente praised him as "an eminent scientist whose legacy transcends the sugar sector" and emphasized that "his dedication to science and commitment to the country's development made him an exemplary professional and a truly exceptional Cuban."
In April 2000, this academic institution awarded him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Technical Sciences through a rectoral resolution, following a proposal by the Álvaro Reynoso Honorary Chair, affiliated with the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Agronomy. This chair honors the 19th-century Cuban scientist considered the father of scientific agriculture in Cuba, author of the renowned "Essay on the Cultivation of Sugar Cane" from 1862.
Leadership and Honors in the Sugar Industry
Beyond his research contributions, Almazán del Olmo led the Association of Sugar Technicians of Cuba (ATAC) for two decades. Founded in 1927 in Niquero, ATAC is the oldest non-profit technical-professional association in the country. He was also a Lifetime Honorary Member of both the ATAC and the International Society of Sugar Cane Technicians (ISSCT).
Eduardo Lamadrid Martínez, current president of ATAC, confirmed the scientist's passing and noted his previous role as deputy chief of the Agro-Food Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. "We deeply feel his physical departure, always committed to the sugar sector and the association he supported until the very end," Lamadrid Martínez stated, according to the Cuban News Agency.
Impact of His Passing Amidst Industry Collapse
The condolences extended beyond Cuba's borders. The Mexican Association of Sugar Technicians (ATAM) expressed their sorrow in a message to ATAC, describing the loss as "irreplaceable" and sending sympathies to the scientist's family. Dr. Almazán del Olmo's death comes at a time of unprecedented collapse for the industry he devoted his career to. The 2024-2025 Cuban sugar harvest confirmed the sector's downfall, with production not reaching 150,000 tons—the lowest level in over a century—and only six mills operating from the 14 anticipated.
The contrast is stark: in 1959, 156 mills were active across the country; by the 2023-2024 harvest, only 25 were operational, and just 15 for the following cycle. The sugar industry has reached a breaking point due to cane shortages, chronic power outages, fuel scarcity, and outdated machinery, conditions that six decades of centralized management have failed to improve.
Cuba's sugar crisis has become so severe that the government has reduced the sugar quota in the rationed family basket due to product scarcity—a painful paradox in a country that was once the world's largest sugar exporter.
"His departure leaves a huge void in Cuban science, but his work and example will endure," concluded the University of Oriente in its condolence message, encapsulating the sentiment of a scientific community bidding farewell to one of its most internationally recognized figures. Deepest sympathies are extended to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Sugar Industry Crisis
What was Dr. Oscar Almazán del Olmo's contribution to the sugar industry?
Dr. Almazán del Olmo dedicated his life to the Cuban Institute of Research on Sugar Cane Derivatives, focusing on the comprehensive utilization of sugar cane and its by-products. His leadership and commitment to the sugar sector made him a pivotal figure in Cuban science.
How has the Cuban sugar industry changed since 1959?
In 1959, 156 mills were active across Cuba. However, by the 2023-2024 harvest, only 25 mills were operational, and just 15 for the following cycle. The industry has faced severe challenges such as cane shortages, power outages, and outdated machinery.
What impact has the sugar crisis had on Cuba?
The sugar crisis has led to a reduction in the sugar quota in the rationed family basket due to shortages, highlighting the severe decline of an industry that once positioned Cuba as the world's largest sugar exporter.