The institution expresses its condolences, but does not specify the cause of death.
MIAMI, United States. – The Faculty of Geography of the University of Havana (UH) reported the death of Professor Pedro Álvarez Cruz and expressed his regret in official messages posted on Facebook. According to the information released, the deceased, who was about to turn 45, “dedicated his life to teaching and training generations of students” and left “an indelible mark” on the UH academic community.
The same publication highlighted the career and teaching vocation of the professor, who was called “comprehensive, revolutionary and Martian.” He was also described as “a tireless fighter for just causes” and “a man committed to his country.”
Another institutional note signed by Doctor of Science Arturo Rua de Cabo, described Álvarez Cruz as an “outstanding geographer, tireless researcher and passionate defender of the teaching of Geography in all its areas.”
After remembering his responsibilities at the UH as head of Department, head of Career, general secretary of the Union and director of Human Resources, the obituary concluded: “His legacy as an outstanding researcher and tireless promoter of Geography will remain alive in the hearts of those who shared with him the classroom, the work and the passion for knowledge.”
According to your presentation on the website dedicated to ORCID research, Álvarez Cruz was born in Havana on November 27, 1980.
The profile also recognizes “his pedagogical thinking conceives geographical education as an instrument to understand the world, challenge inequalities and promote socio-spatial justice” and details a scientific production of “more than 50 articles in national and international specialized journals, book chapters and fundamental works such as the text Didactics of Geography (2018)”.
The death of Álvarez Cruz transcends in a context of public concern for recent deaths communicated from higher education institutions. The Universidad de Oriente, located in Santiago de Cuba, has recorded at least eight deaths of professors and students since the beginning of October. The deaths were reported through official channels without specifying the causes of death.
After learning of the deaths, the activist Yamilka Laffita (Lara Crofs on social networks) he questioned the lack of information: “From October 1 to today, eight deaths reported, at the Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba. What did they die from? Neither the University nor the Ministry of Higher Education respond. They say ‘rest in peace’ and that’s it. In the comments they ask for explanations, but they delete them. What are they hiding? (…). Meanwhile, the count rises.”
