I think he wasn't talking about political freedom, but a kind of economic freedom similar to the liberal XIX century (Laissez-faire times). I doubt that kind of freedom would be helpful for social indicators. In many countries, it's the state that is responsible for those services.

Actually, Cuba is clearly lacking on economic and political freedom and for decades had the better ratings in Latin American on those issues.

Even today, the highest levels of political freedom are typical of developed economies, so that might explain better those results.