Cuba’s Labour Minister, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, has resigned after claiming there are no beggars in the country, comments that sparked widespread anger and criticism both within Cuba and abroad.
Speaking during a National Assembly session earlier this week, Feitó Cabrera dismissed the visible signs of poverty in the country by saying, “There are no beggars in Cuba. There are people pretending to be beggars to make easy money.” She also claimed that those seen digging through trash were illegally participating in recycling for personal gain.
Her remarks quickly triggered outrage from Cubans, many of whom are struggling with severe economic hardships marked by food shortages, power cuts, lack of basic medicine, and housing issues. Critics said her statements showed a complete disconnect from the daily reality facing ordinary citizens.
In a rare public rebuke, President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded to the backlash at the same parliamentary session, without naming her directly. He warned that Cuba’s leadership must not act with “condescension” or appear out of touch with people’s struggles, particularly during one of the worst economic crises in decades.
Feitó Cabrera’s comments were described as offensive and dehumanizing by both ordinary citizens and prominent voices in Cuba. A group of Cuban activists and intellectuals published a letter calling for her removal, labeling her remarks as “an insult to the Cuban people.”
Economist Pedro Monreal also weighed in, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “It must be that there are also people disguised as ‘ministers’,” in a sarcastic response to the minister’s claim.
Images of Cubans sleeping in doorways or digging through bins for food have become increasingly common. With daily life disrupted by high inflation, fuel shortages, and frequent blackouts, many people must also search from pharmacy to pharmacy just to find essential medicine.
The Cuban Communist Party and government formally accepted Feitó Cabrera’s resignation, marking a rare case of public accountability in a country where open dissent is usually suppressed and protests are banned by law.
Her resignation highlights the growing tension between the government and a population worn down by years of hardship and unmet needs.
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