The Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas (UCLV) has announced the passing of Dr. C. Carlos Alberto de León Benítez, a distinguished professor from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. Dr. de León Benítez dedicated over 40 years to teaching and academia.
The university conveyed the sad news via an official condolence post on Facebook, without disclosing the cause of death.
Dr. de León Benítez spent his career advancing education and research in electrical systems, machines, and drives, areas in which he made significant contributions, as highlighted by UCLV.
He was instrumental in coordinating the Master's program in Electrical Engineering and served on the academic committee for the Master's in Energy Efficiency, both key postgraduate offerings of the faculty.
Throughout his career, he mentored numerous students as both a tutor and co-tutor in the doctoral program of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
His notable mentorships include a 2018 master's thesis on energy savings in hydraulic systems using centrifugal pumps and speed controllers, and a 2015 diploma project on photovoltaic energy application at UCLV.
Dr. de León Benítez's scholarly work addressed critical issues in Cuba's energy landscape, focusing on renewable energy for hospital services, harmonic propagation in low-voltage electrical systems, and energy analysis of centrifugal pumping systems, with his findings published in both national and international journals.
At the XX International Symposium on Electrical Engineering held at UCLV in 2023, he presented research on designing solar thermal systems for hospital facilities and discussed Villa Clara's energy matrix with an emphasis on renewable sources.
The university emphasized that "his academic and personal legacy endures within the university community and among those fortunate enough to have known him," extending condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
This loss adds to a series of recent deaths in the Cuban academic community as of 2026.
In February, UCLV mourned the loss of Professor Emeritus Alberto Casiano Averhoff Casamayor, an 85-year-old veteran in economics and cooperativism, with a career spanning over four decades.
Later in June, the institution again faced mourning with the passing of Dr. C. Alina Hereira Díaz, a senior professor and founder of the Center for Applied Chemistry Studies.
These losses occur amidst a severe economic and energy crisis impacting Cuban educational institutions, severely constraining resources and complicating academic operations nationwide.
Understanding the Impact of Recent Losses at UCLV
Who was Dr. Carlos Alberto de León Benítez?
Dr. Carlos Alberto de León Benítez was a respected professor at the Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas, known for his contributions to electrical engineering education and research.
What were Dr. de León Benítez's contributions to academia?
Dr. de León Benítez made significant advancements in the fields of electrical systems and renewable energy, mentoring many students and contributing to scholarly publications.
How is the current crisis affecting Cuban educational institutions?
Cuban educational institutions are struggling due to a severe economic and energy crisis, which limits resources and complicates their academic operations.