Preface for special issue NFT-17: MX & CU & VE nuclear fission technology in Mexico, Cuba and Venezuela (+Central America)

•Nuclear fission reactor technology: Special Issue NFT-17: MX & CU & VE.•Status quo in México.•Current investigations in area of nuclear fission technology.•Future of nuclear energy. Since the early 1950s the institutional bases for the study and research of nuclear fission technology began to be established in Mexico. Among the education institutions, the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), and the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) stand out for the education of graduate human resources. In México, there are also parastatal institutions focused, but not exclusively on nuclear fission technology, such as the National Institute of Nuclear Research (ININ) and the Institute of Electrical Research (IIE – now known as INEEL –) which are emblematic of contributing to the solution of technical problems at the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant (CNLV) owned and operated by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) of the Mexican State. For this purpose, scientific and technological projects are developed. The formation of graduate human resources and some research projects in the field we are referring to are financed by the National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology (CONAHCyT) of the Mexican government.