The role of innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean: the Cuban case

Most third world countries, especially Cuba, have bet on innovation to seek solutions that generate the economic and social development so longed for. For this reason, the objective of the article was to analyze the role of innovation in the economic and social development of Latin America and the Caribbean, delving into the case of Cuba based on innovation indicators. The research followed a qualitative methodology, based on documentary review, for which the analysis-synthesis and historical-logical methods were applied. The relationship between innovation and economic and social development was approached, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on the input and output indicators most used in the estimation of capacities in science, technology and innovation. The results of the innovation indicators analyzed were similar in Cuba and in Latin America and the Caribbean. Most of the investment in research and development in the region was concentrated in Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Argentina; and the establishment of the institutional framework in charge of science, technology and innovation activities is not equally developed in the countries of the region. In addition, the evolution of Cuba's policy was evidenced by the recognition of the link between innovation and economic and social development, showing a coherent, continuous policy, focused on strengthening the institutional framework, with the incorporation of figures such as science and technology parks to the Science, Technology and Innovation System.