Cuban Minister Resigns Following Controversial Remarks on Begging Crisis

Amid dire economic conditions, a Cuban Minister's controversial comments regarding beggars lead to public outrage and her subsequent resignation.

Cuban Minister for Labour and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó-Cabrera, has stepped down after facing backlash for insisting in a parliamentary session that there are no beggars in Cuba. Instead, she suggested that individuals scavenging for food were merely choosing to engage in this behavior for "easy money". Her remarks have been labeled insensitive and disconnected from the reality of widespread poverty and food shortages affecting the island.

Her statements drew immediate criticism from both the Cuban populace and international observers, leading to a swift response from President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who emphasized the need for leaders to remain cognizant of the dire circumstances faced by citizens. In her remarks, Feitó-Cabrera referred to those rummaging through waste as "illegal participants in the recycling service," further inciting indignation among advocates for change.

Activists rallied, calling for her resignation, labeling her comments as dismissive of the suffering experienced by many Cubans. President Díaz-Canel, during the parliamentary session, alluded to her remarks without naming her, highlighting that leadership must avoid a condescending attitude and remain grounded in the realities faced by everyday citizens.

While the Cuban government refrains from providing official statistics on the number of people begging, the rise in poverty and desperation has been undeniable. The country is currently grappling with a profound economic crisis, leading to increased hardship and food shortages experienced by its residents. Feitó-Cabrera's resignation was formally accepted by both the Cuban Communist Party and the government in response to public outcry, which underscores the increasing discontent brewing among the people in Cuba.