Cuban Minister Resigns Following Controversial Remarks About Beggars Pretending to Be in Need

Cuban Labour and Social Security Minister Marta Elena Feito Cabrera has announced her resignation following controversial remarks that sparked widespread backlash regarding poverty in the nation. On Wednesday, Cuba’s presidency confirmed via social media that Feito acknowledged her “lack of objectivity and sensitivity” in discussing issues central to political and governmental management, leading to her decision to step down.

The resignation follows Feito’s comments made during a meeting with deputies in a National Assembly committee, where she claimed there were no beggars in Cuba, suggesting that those perceived as such were simply “pretending.” Feito’s assertion painted a picture of ostensibly well-dressed individuals masquerading as homeless, a statement that drew immediate condemnation from the Cuban public.

In her comments, Feito further described people who clean car windshields as leading “easy” lives, implying that they misuse their earnings for indulgences such as alcohol. Additionally, she criticized individuals rummaging through garbage bins, alleging they were only scavenging for materials to resell, seeking ways to evade taxation.

These remarks went viral, igniting calls for Feito’s impeachment amid Cuba’s ongoing economic challenges. Even President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed disapproval, highlighting the importance of sensitivity toward vulnerable populations, affirming that the revolution’s ethos is to ensure no one is left behind.

Cuba’s economic difficulties are attributed significantly to a longstanding trade embargo imposed by the United States, which has hindered financial transactions and limited access to essential goods, including fuel and spare parts. This embargo, active since 1960 post-Cuban Revolution, has been condemned by a substantial majority of nations, with 185 out of 193 countries at the United Nations voting against it. Recent administrations have fluctuated in their approach toward Cuba, oscillating between renewed diplomacy and tightened sanctions.

The financial strain has been exacerbated by an energy crisis influenced by dwindling supplies from Venezuela, which faces its own economic challenges. As Cuba navigates these hardships, tourism remains a vital lifeline, with millions flocking to the island each year, thereby supporting its economy. Reports from the UN Conference on Trade and Development highlighted that Cuba maintained a gross domestic product of ,296 per person in 2019, categorizing it as an upper middle-income country.

Cuba’s resilience in the face of economic challenges reflects a robust spirit among its people, who continue to strive for improvement and stability.

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