Cuban Labor Minister Resigns Over Controversial Remarks on Poverty

Marta Elena Feitó-Cabrera's resignation comes after her controversial statements about poverty and begging in Cuba, reinforcing concerns about the government's disconnect from its citizens' struggles.

Cuban Minister for Labour and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó-Cabrera, has stepped down following her controversial comments during a parliamentary session that claimed there are no beggars in Cuba. Her statements, suggesting that those rummaging through trash were merely seeking "easy money," ignited widespread backlash among Cubans both on the island and in exile. The minister's remarks were perceived as dismissive and out of touch, prompting swift condemnation and a response from President Miguel Díaz-Canel, signaling an acknowledgment of the discontent among the populace.

Feitó-Cabrera made her statements earlier this week at the National Assembly, where she asserted, "There are no beggars in Cuba; only individuals pretending to be beggars." She further characterized people searching through refuse as "illegal participants in the recycling service," indicating a fundamental misunderstanding of the severity of Cuba's current economic conditions. Her comments quickly drew ire from local activists and citizens who viewed them as a gross misrepresentation of the harsh realities faced by many Cubans.

In a subsequent parliamentary session, President Díaz-Canel admonished the leadership for being out of touch, implying that their approach must not reflect "condescension" towards the citizens. The outpouring of anger culminated in activists drafting a letter demanding Feitó-Cabrera's removal, asserting her comments were deeply disrespectful to the Cuban people.

The government accepted her resignation, a move seen as necessary amid a backdrop of escalating poverty and food shortages affecting the nation as it endures a severe economic crisis. Despite the Cuban government not releasing official figures regarding the number of individuals begging, the visible increase has become a grim reality acknowledged by many citizens, underscoring the urgent need for a government more attuned to the plight of its people.