The Cuban Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó, has raised concerns over several provinces failing to utilize the budget allocated for aiding vulnerable populations. "It is inconsistent that there are regions with such significant underspending of this budget. In some areas, the execution remains at 0% at this point in the year," Feitó stated during the Council of Ministers meeting at the Palace of the Revolution on Monday.
Despite the severe social challenges facing the nation, the minister expressed regret that these funds remain unused. "We could be assisting the elderly, children, and engaging in numerous social initiatives that have a positive impact, yet we are not," she emphasized.
In response to Feitó's remarks, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero expressed astonishment and suggested a thorough review of the reasons behind the budget underspending in these regions. "I think we need to analyze this issue differently. Why is it that these funds are not being used? Are we lacking sensitivity, or is it a matter of lacking compassion?" Marrero questioned.
The Cuban government has not disclosed which provinces are guilty of this significant shortfall, nor have they outlined specific measures to address the situation. For now, the Council of Ministers, under Díaz-Canel's directive, remains focused on securing foreign currency.
Rising Homelessness Amid Social Crisis
This official acknowledgment comes as poverty and homelessness are visibly increasing in the country, particularly in cities like Santiago de Cuba, Havana, and Holguín. In April, the regime admitted that the number of homeless individuals in Santiago de Cuba had risen, attributing this to family neglect and the intensification of the U.S. embargo.
Ernesto González Ojea, the provincial director of Labor and Social Security, acknowledged that the "current economic context" restricts access to essential goods, blaming families for abandoning their vulnerable members by not adhering to the new Family Code regulations.
While the authorities have promoted social care centers in the region, citizen and independent media criticism points to internal economic crisis, ineffective public policies, and lack of state protection as the root causes of the problem.
Retirees and the elderly are the most affected by the current crisis. A pension of 1,500 pesos barely covers the cost of a liter of oil in the Cuban market. Many elderly Cubans are increasingly forced to beg or sell goods on the streets just to survive. Meanwhile, the budget that could potentially ease some of these hardships remains unutilized in several provinces. The government's inaction and lack of interest exacerbate a social crisis threatening to spiral out of control as the central authorities look on.
Understanding Cuba's Social Welfare Challenges
Why is the social welfare budget in Cuba not being utilized?
The reasons behind the lack of budget utilization for social welfare in Cuba are not fully disclosed, but it involves administrative inefficiencies and possibly a lack of compassion among local authorities.
What impact does this budget inaction have on Cuban society?
The inaction on the social welfare budget exacerbates poverty and homelessness, especially affecting the elderly and vulnerable populations who rely on government support for basic necessities.
How is the Cuban government responding to the rise in homelessness?
The government acknowledges the increase in homelessness but attributes it to family neglect and the U.S. embargo, without providing clear solutions or addressing internal policy failures.