Just hours after claiming in Parliament that Cuba has "no beggars," Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, has stepped down. Her resignation was "accepted" by both the Politburo and the Council of State, according to official media reports on Tuesday.
The resignation follows intense public backlash sparked by her recent statements. During a parliamentary session on Monday, Feitó described homeless individuals as "disguised beggars," "drunks," and "impostors." She also denied the existence of hunger on the island and blamed citizens themselves for increasing poverty levels.
On July 15, the Ministry released a statement acknowledging her resignation. The Politburo of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) clarified that Feitó's decision came after a joint analysis by the Party leadership, the Government, and Feitó herself, who admitted to her mistakes.
"This request was submitted to the Politburo and the Council of State, where her release was agreed upon due to her lack of objectivity and sensitivity in addressing issues central to today's political and governmental management," stated a note published by the official portal Cubadebate.
With this decision, the government aims to alleviate the political and social damage caused by Feitó's remarks, which triggered an unprecedented wave of public outrage both domestically and internationally.
Even Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel weighed in during another parliamentary session on Tuesday, delivering a message widely interpreted as a rebuke directed at Feitó, despite not mentioning her by name. "None of us can act with arrogance, can act with high-handedness, disconnected from the realities our people are living," said the president.
The message followed previous institutional silence and a later attempt at damage control, as the most controversial excerpts of Feitó's speech were removed from official portals.
Her remarks were widely condemned by intellectuals, activists, artists, and citizens, who criticized her lack of empathy and disdain for society's most vulnerable sectors. Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera had been in the position since 2019.
Understanding the Controversy Around Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera's Resignation
What prompted Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera to resign?
Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera resigned following backlash over her statements in Parliament, where she denied the existence of beggars and hunger in Cuba and blamed citizens for poverty.
How did the government respond to Feitó's statements?
The government attempted to mitigate the political and social damage by accepting her resignation and distancing itself from her controversial remarks.
How did Cuban society react to Feitó's comments?
Feitó's comments were met with widespread condemnation from intellectuals, activists, artists, and citizens, who criticized her lack of empathy toward vulnerable populations.