Havana, December 30 (RHC-PL) -- Cubans are today finalizing preparations to celebrate the 57th anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution – on January 1, 1959 – which brought a new reality of social justice to the country.

Over half a century later, Cuba is in the process of updating its economic and social model, which seeks to ensure the continuity and strengthening of the socialist system on the island in the interest of national development.

For Cubans, January 1st represents the beginning of a stage of transformations that ended a system that favored political and economic elites, and began to create a country that would benefit the majority of the population.

One of the first measures taken by the revolutionary government was the Agrarian Reform Act, with the nationalization of properties greater than 402 hectares and the land was given to tens of thousands of campesinos.

This was followed by other initiatives, including a literacy campaign that in just one year (1961) Cuba became the first territory free of illiteracy in Latin America.

The results of the social policies are visible in Cuba, despite the longest economic, financial and commercial blockade in history imposed by the United States, that denies the Island investments, financing, technological advances, medicines and food.

Recognized in ensuring free and universal access to public health, Cuba is also known for the vaccination program that ensures comprehensive coverage of immunization, allowing the prevention of 13 diseases.

In education, Cuba is placed high among the countries with 13 percent of its GDP devoted to education. In addition, UNESCO data reveal that Cuba has a literacy rate of 99.8 percent.

Considered by international organizations as an example of the protection of children, the island also pays great attention to its youth.

Overall the country, which stands as a nation with high human development as a result of sustained social welfare policies, has met most of the Millennium Development Goals in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women and reducing the mortality of young children and continues to work on the remaining goals.