Cuba's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, has resigned after claiming there are no beggars in the country. The presidency announced on X that she acknowledged her errors and submitted her resignation on Tuesday.
Feitó made the controversial remarks before a National Assembly committee on Monday, stating that people appearing to be beggars are 'disguised' and that those cleaning windshields use the money to 'drink alcohol'. She also accused people searching through garbage of reselling materials to avoid tax.
The comments sparked widespread criticism amid Cuba's severe economic crisis, which has led to visible poverty, including elderly people begging and scavenging. President Miguel Díaz-Canel criticised the 'lack of sensitivity' in addressing vulnerability, reaffirming the revolution's commitment to leaving no one behind.
Economic data released on Monday showed Cuba's GDP fell by 1.1% in 2024, with a cumulative decline of 11% over five years. Retirees receive a monthly pension of around 2,000 Cuban pesos (approximately $5), insufficient to cover basic needs like a carton of eggs.
Self-employed worker Enrique Guillén said the minister was wrong, noting that elderly people cannot survive on their pensions. 'It is the reality we are living in Cuba,' he said.
