In a remarkable display of mathematical prowess, four Cuban students excelled at the 41st Ibero-American Math Olympiad held in Buenos Aires from September 6 to 13. They not only secured individual medals but also clinched the Puerto Rico Cup, achieving sixth place among 21 participating nations.
The Cuban Ministry of Education (MINED) shared the news on the social network X, highlighting the achievements of Marcel Gamez Salvó, Erick Díaz Pérez, Heidy Rodríguez Fuentes, and Diego García Rodríguez. Gamez Salvó earned a gold medal, Díaz Pérez took silver, while Rodríguez Fuentes and García Rodríguez both secured bronze medals.
The Ministry praised their performance as a "source of pride for Cuban education." In the overall national standings, Brazil led with 123 points, followed by Mexico with 117 points—thanks to two golds and two silvers—and Spain in third with 112 points, as reported by the Mexican outlet La Jornada.
Cuba's delegation finished sixth and was awarded the Puerto Rico Cup, which is given to the country that shows the most improvement in team results compared to previous editions, according to MINED.
Established in 1985, the competition gathers young minds from Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries. Hosted at the University of Palermo and organized by the Argentine Mathematical Olympiad (OMA), the event challenged 83 participants with six unique problems crafted by professional mathematicians from participating countries. The competition was held over two sessions of four and a half hours each, without the use of calculators or reference materials. Each delegation could field up to four students, with a maximum possible score of 42 points.
This year's outcome marks a significant improvement over past performances. In the 2023 Olympiad in Brazil, Cuba only earned two bronze medals; in 2025, in Chile, the team secured one silver and two bronzes. Gamez Salvó's gold in Buenos Aires represents a qualitative leap in the performance of Cuban young mathematicians in this regional contest.
The achievement comes during a busy year for Cuban students in international competitions. In June, the island's delegation garnered ten medals—three silvers and seven bronzes—at the 2026 Ibero-American Informatics Olympiad, and in August, five Cuban youths reached the podium at the International Earth Science Olympiad in Italy.
All these accomplishments unfold amid a severe economic crisis in Cuba, characterized by acute shortages of resources and personnel in the education system. The current school year started with a significant shortage of teachers and deteriorating facilities.
Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization and Cadre Policy of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, seized the occasion, as the regime often does, to underscore the political significance of the victory: "These young people are living proof that Cuban education, even amid blockades and limitations, nurtures high-level talents." The primary source of these blockades and restrictions was, predictably, not mentioned by the Cuban official.
Insights into Cuban Achievements at the Math Olympiad
What medals did Cuban students win at the 41st Ibero-American Math Olympiad?
Cuban students won a gold medal, a silver medal, and two bronze medals at the Olympiad.
What is the significance of the Puerto Rico Cup in the Math Olympiad?
The Puerto Rico Cup is awarded to the country that demonstrates the most improvement in team results compared to previous competitions.