Cuba’s Labor Minister Marta Elena Feito resigned on Tuesday following widespread backlash over controversial remarks that dismissed the country’s growing poverty crisis. Her departure comes amid mounting public frustration as the island endures its worst economic downturn in three decades.
Feito, who also oversaw Cuba’s social security system, drew sharp criticism after claiming that people scavenging through trash bins were not genuinely poor but were merely “disguised as beggars.” Speaking during a televised parliamentary session on Monday, she said, “When you look at their hands, when you look at the clothes those people are wearing, they are disguised as beggars. They are not beggars. In Cuba, there are no beggars.”
The remarks sparked immediate outrage on social media, with Cubans sharing images of real-life hardship, including individuals digging through garbage for food. Economist Pedro Monreal condemned Feito’s statement, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “There are people disguised as ‘ministers’ in Cuba.”
Cuban state media confirmed her resignation on Tuesday, stating that Feito had “acknowledged her mistake” and stepped down due to a “lack of objectivity and sensitivity.” President Miguel Díaz-Canel also criticized her comments, emphasizing the importance of humility and awareness among public officials. “None of us can act with arrogance… disconnected from the realities we live in,” he told parliament. He acknowledged that the existence of beggars reflects deeper social inequalities and economic hardships.
Cuba is grappling with severe inflation, widespread shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and daily power outages. The average monthly salary in the country is less than $20 at the unofficial exchange rate, leaving many unable to meet basic needs. According to the government, over 350,000 individuals are currently living in “vulnerable” conditions and rely on state assistance.
The country’s economy contracted by 1.1% in 2024, following a 1.9% drop in 2023. Experts attribute the ongoing crisis to a mix of U.S. sanctions, domestic mismanagement, and the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which decimated the vital tourism sector.
Feito’s resignation underscores the growing tension between the government’s public narrative and the harsh realities Cubans face daily.
