To promote a peaceful transition to a Cuba that respects human rights
and political and economic freedoms
Bernie Sanders gets facts wrong about Castro’s literacy, health care programs. Let’s set the record straight.
Sun Sentinel, March 1, 2020
By JOHN SUAREZ AND FRANK CALZÓN
SPECIAL TO THE SUN SENTINEL
SPECIAL TO THE SUN SENTINEL
Before Fidel Castro took power In 1959, Cuba already had decent educational and healthcare systems, according to U.N. statistics, and its rising literacy rates tracked with the rest of Latin America, writes the op-ed authors from the Center for a Free Cuba, in disputing Bernie Sanders' claim that the Castro regime brought "good things" to the Cuban people. (L. Todd Spencer/The Virginian-Pilot)
On the 24th anniversary of the February 24, 1996, Brothers to the Rescue shootdown when Fidel Castro’s MIG’s destroyed two civilian aircraft in international airspace engaged in the search for Cuban refugees killing four Americans, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, argued in a CBS 60 Minutes interview that there were good things about the Castro regime: “It is unfair to simply say everything is bad. When Fidel Castro came into office you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program.”
He was doubling down on statements that he had made in the 1980s when he claimed in recorded interviews that Cubans did not rise up and help the U.S. overthrow Cuba’s dictatorship because he “educated the kids, gave them healthcare, and totally transformed the society.”
The facts indicate otherwise. In 1959, the island already had decent educational and healthcare systems, according to U.N. statistics, and its rising literacy rates tracked with the rest of Latin America. Costa Rica achieved the same results without dictatorship and firing squads.
The facts indicate otherwise. In 1959, the island already had decent educational and healthcare systems, according to U.N. statistics, and its rising literacy rates tracked with the rest of Latin America. Costa Rica achieved the same results without dictatorship and firing squads.
“According to the 1953 Cuba census, out of 4,376,529 inhabitants 10 years of age or older 23.6% were illiterate, a percentage lower than all other Latin American countries except Argentina (13.6%), Chile (19.6%), & Costa Rica (20.6%) ... Factoring only population 15 years of age or older, the rate is lowered to 22.1%.”
This means that 77.9% of Cubans fifteen years and older were literate six years prior to the Communist takeover.
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