The Cuban literacy program Yo Si Puedo (I Can) has helped General Lamadrid Department, in La Rioja, Argentina, cut illiteracy from 4.2 to 1.9 percent.

In making the announcement, Education, Science and Technology Secretary Walter Flores thanked Cuba for helping rid ignorance in as many departments as possible since 2003.

Cuban Coordinator Orlik Reyes said the rate surpasses the UNESCO three percent cap to declare a region illiteracy-free and reaffirmed Cuba wishes to help improve the numbers further.

He reminded that I Can program has since helped 17,000 people learn to read and write in Argentina.