Cuban Labor Minister Resigns After Controversial Comments on Poverty

Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera's remarks about poverty and beggars reveal disconnect from Cuban citizens' harsh realities, leading to her resignation in light of public outcry.

Cuba's Minister for Labour, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, has resigned following controversial remarks made during a parliamentary session in which she denied the existence of beggars on the island. Feitó Cabrera claimed that those who rummage through garbage do so voluntarily for "easy money," statements that were met with immense backlash from both citizens and the Cuban community abroad.

The minister's comments brought widespread condemnation, prompting a swift response from President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who criticized the leadership for not being in touch with the stark realities faced by ordinary Cubans. Following the uproar, she stepped down from her position within the Communist Party government.

Cuba is currently facing an escalating economic crisis, characterized by severe food shortages and increasing poverty levels. Many citizens have been seen searching through rubbish bins for sustenance or resorting to sleeping on the streets—scenarios that are becoming alarmingly common as living conditions deteriorate. Moreover, residents deal with persistent fuel shortages and frequent power outages, making daily life increasingly challenging.

Feitó Cabrera's statements drew ire not only from citizens but also from economists and activists, with Cuban economist Pedro Monreal retorting on social media, "It must be that there are also people disguised as 'ministers'." A collective of Cuban intellectuals and activists also called for her resignation, describing her previous statements as a direct affront to the hardships endured by the Cuban population.

As economic struggles intensify, Cuba's government has sought assistance from international organizations like the UN to address worsening food shortages and other pressing issues impacting citizens' quality of life.