On Tuesday, Miguel Díaz-Canel openly acknowledged the presence of homelessness and people living on the streets in Cuba, directly contradicting statements made by the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera. Just a day prior, she had denied the existence of beggars in the country and even went so far as to criminalize those who ask for money in public spaces.
During a session with the Commission for Youth, Children, and Women's Equality Rights in the Cuban Parliament, Díaz-Canel expressed regret over certain remarks made within the commission, regarding what he described as a "real and undesirable phenomenon in our society." He stated, "The existence of certain expressions of vulnerability, such as individuals living on the streets or engaging in transient behaviors... these people, whom we sometimes label as beggars or associated with begging, are actually concrete expressions of social inequalities and the accumulated problems we face," as reported by Cubadebate.
Although he did not directly name Minister Feitó, Díaz-Canel clearly distanced himself from her stance. "I do not agree with some of the opinions expressed in the commission on this matter. It would not be honest if I didn't share my thoughts with you: making judgments like those is counterproductive," he emphasized.
He emphasized that these comments were made during discussions about policies aimed at assisting "vulnerable" sectors and implementing government programs with a social focus. "If we acknowledge that this problem exists and that actions are being taken to address it, we cannot denigrate those directly affected. Doing so reveals a lack of understanding of the country's reality. I would dare to say it shows a superficial approach and poorly targeted attention to the complexity of the phenomenon," Díaz-Canel noted.
He admitted that such issues "have always existed, although they take on a new dimension today, given the depth of the crisis." "These are phenomena caused by multiple factors: economic, social, familial, and, in some sectors, a breakdown in the structure of values," he highlighted.
Díaz-Canel reiterated that the state has recognized this problem and has made explicit commitments to address it through major social programs, including the Program for the Advancement of Women, asserting, "All this is in line with the Revolution's humanistic vocation."
"If these are our issues, then the vulnerable are ours, the homeless are ours, the families and communities in vulnerability are ours. And it is our responsibility to address them from the Party, because the Party - single and socialist - represents all Cubans," he stated at another point.
He urged officials to act with sensitivity and without arrogance: "We must act with sensitivity, seriousness, humanism, and promote unity through participation... with welcome, help, solidarity, respect, humility, human warmth, and ethical and decent behavior."
Díaz-Canel acknowledged the economic crisis's impact on increasing these vulnerabilities and, as expected, referred to the "tightening of the blockade" as one of the causes, claiming it seeks social breakdown, disunity, and the fall of the Revolution.
He assured that numerous programs are underway, even in a context of economic restrictions, to address these realities. "This demonstrates sensitivity, political will, and governmental action. Here, politics and government action go hand in hand."
"I cannot agree with certain expressions that have been made nor with certain opinions that distort the recognition of realities that indeed exist... We are not going to confront a vulnerable person. We will address those in a situation of vulnerability. These people are not our enemies," he reiterated.
"Yes, these manifestations exist. We are not ashamed to acknowledge it. They exist, but we address them. We empathize with the people living in that situation. We have the will to overcome it. We have the will to transform it, because otherwise, we would not be revolutionaries... We know the deep causes, but we cannot deny that the problem exists," he concluded.
Humanist Discourse vs. Institutional Control: The Contradictions of the Cuban Regime in the Face of Extreme Poverty
Despite Miguel Díaz-Canel's explicit acknowledgment of the existence of homeless individuals and other expressions of social vulnerability, his discourse contrasts with regime practices and policies that, in everyday reality, either invisibilize or criminalize these same sectors.
While the president called for sensitivity and the system's humanistic vocation, the truth is that the state actions have been more directed toward preserving an image of a "Revolution without poverty," rather than structurally addressing the causes of social deterioration.
His intervention, though critical, seems more like a damage control maneuver in response to an unpopular discourse than a genuine willingness for transformation. Díaz-Canel's statements recognizing the existence of homelessness and begging in Cuba sharply contrast with the institutional policies his government enforces.
Although he advocated for a humanistic approach and defended the attention to vulnerable sectors as part of the revolutionary ideology, state practices follow a logic of social control and concealment that contradicts his discourse. A concrete example of this contradiction is Agreement 10056/2025 from the Council of Ministers, already in effect since April, which establishes a protocol for handling individuals with "transient behavior."
Far from mentioning extreme poverty or social exclusion, the document resorts to euphemisms to describe situations that in any other country would be recognized as expressions of indigence, abandonment, or structural marginalization. This agreement delegates control of the phenomenon to provincial and municipal governments, which are required to form multidisciplinary teams composed of social workers, medical personnel, law enforcement, and prosecutors.
These groups are tasked with identifying, classifying, evaluating, and relocating homeless individuals, often without ensuring their consent or minimum rights. Instead of providing long-term structural solutions, the official approach relies on forced relocation, containment in Social Protection Centers - allowing temporary confinement for up to 90 days - and "return to the place of origin" for those affected.
Moreover, the official narrative shifts the crisis's responsibility to Cuban families and the U.S. embargo, without acknowledging the deep internal causes of social decay: widespread impoverishment, lack of housing, aging population, massive emigration, collapse of public services, and the real lack of protection experienced by thousands of retirees.
Recent reports, even in official media like Girón and Sierra Maestra, show how elderly individuals who worked all their lives now have to beg or sell goods on the streets to survive, without sufficient state support. The criminalization of homelessness is accompanied by institutional campaigns aimed at "rescuing" beggars through street raids and confinement in state centers.
While Díaz-Canel talks about sensitivity and justice, governors like Marieta Poey in Matanzas order operations to forcibly relocate homeless individuals, accusing them of "harassing" tourists or "displaying negative behaviors," instead of recognizing them as victims of a failed system.
Cuba's Social Challenges and Government Response
What are the primary causes of homelessness in Cuba?
Homelessness in Cuba is attributed to several factors, including economic hardships, social inequality, family breakdowns, and a lack of housing. These challenges are exacerbated by a complex socio-political environment and systemic issues within the country's governance.
How does the Cuban government address social vulnerabilities?
The Cuban government claims to address social vulnerabilities through various programs, such as the Program for the Advancement of Women. However, critics argue that the government's approach often involves social control measures and lacks genuine long-term solutions.