All Cuban men have to undertake two years (it used to be
three) of National Service in the armed forces. For women, it’s voluntary for a
year, but if you do it and otherwise qualify for University, you will pass
straight to college. If not, or if you are a man, then going to University is a
matter of the number of doctors, teachers, etc. that the government decides it
needs to train every year.
Cuban children are encouraged to learn how to fire a rifle
too. There are lots of cool looking gun shops to make this seem an attractive
past-time.
When I asked why, the answer was a very clear one – we have to be
ready to fight a war against America at a moment’s notice. Fifty two years
after the Bay of Pigs, you have to wonder.
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