The Revolution industrialized Cuba. For just one example, take biotechnology, genetic engineering. Children in Cuba now receive as many vaccines as American children, and the country's biotechnology industry distributes vaccines throughout Latin America. One research facility on the outskirts of Havana is working on an AIDS vaccine. And as for education, the Revolution brought literacy to one million people in its first year.
All education is offered free of charge, including college, graduate, and post-graduate work.
The Revolution provided for girls and women, too. In an Affirmative Action plan that would put their neighbor to the north to shame, Cuba created the FMC in order to address women's issues in the new socialist society. Most of the literacy trainers in the first few years were women. It's a sad day in my green, left-wing world when I have to say that I agree with the Cato Institute. The economic embargo, intended to target Castro's government, in fact targets families.