Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz addressed the National Assembly regarding the resignation of Labor Minister Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, following the uproar caused by her comments on poverty in Cuba. Marrero recounted that both he and other senior officials visited the Ministry of Labor and Social Security on Tuesday, where the minister admitted her "mistake."
"I made a mistake, and it was a mistake I should never have made. I don't feel capable of continuing as a leader at the head of a ministry," she confessed, according to Marrero. The prime minister described her decision as "courageous."
"She was a minister who worked diligently," Marrero added, emphasizing Feitó's efforts over the years to advocate for policies benefiting vulnerable people. The ministry's leadership supported her departure, recognizing her contributions but understanding "the necessity of this move," while stressing that "she is the one requesting her release."
Government's Stance on Poverty Comments
In his parliamentary speech, Marrero sought to distance the government from Feitó's controversial remarks. "What the comrade stated does not align with the government's policy," he asserted. Although the presence of homeless individuals in Cuban streets is undeniably real, Marrero reiterated that the government has ongoing procedures to "assist individuals with vagrant behaviors."
He acknowledged that "this issue is a real problem; it exists, and we cannot sugarcoat it," pledging to not only address it but to "resolve it." Such statements starkly contrast with the everyday experiences of countless Cubans facing hunger, unemployment, and homelessness without medical care or state support. Across all provinces, it is commonplace to see people rummaging through garbage or sleeping in doorways, and complaints about the neglect of the elderly and sick multiply.
Public Outcry Over Minister's Remarks
Marrero's remarks came in the wake of a wave of outrage sparked by Feitó Cabrera, who, during a parliamentary committee session last Monday, denied the existence of beggars in Cuba. According to her, those asking for alms, cleaning windshields, or sifting through trash bins do so by "choice," as they "prefer an easy life" over working.
She described them as "disguised as beggars" and labeled them as "illegal self-employed workers." Her statements not only dismissed the widely visible poverty across the island but also criminalized indigence, eliciting widespread backlash both domestically and internationally. Hours after her comments, Feitó tendered her resignation, which was swiftly accepted by the Communist Party's Political Bureau and the Council of State. An official statement accused her of acting with "a lack of objectivity and sensitivity."
Delayed Official Response
President Miguel Díaz-Canel, without directly referencing the minister, responded a day later by stating that "none of us can act arrogantly, disconnected from the realities our people face." Marrero, on the other hand, attempted to downplay the damage by insisting that "attention to vulnerable people has always been and will continue to be a priority of the Revolution."
However, many viewed these declarations as part of a political containment effort, more focused on protecting the government's image than on taking concrete responsibility. The minister's comments were widely condemned by intellectuals, activists, artists, and citizens, who criticized her lack of empathy and disdain for the most vulnerable sectors of society.
The economic crisis, inflation, food and medicine shortages, and growing inequality have left millions of Cubans in dire straits. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights estimates that 89% of households live in extreme poverty, and the minister herself acknowledged in February this year that over 1,200 communities in the country exist in miserable conditions.
Despite official rhetoric, poverty on Cuba's streets is neither a theory nor a communication error: it is a daily reality.
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding Cuba's Labor Minister
What led to the resignation of Cuba's Labor Minister?
The resignation was prompted by a public outcry after Minister Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera made controversial remarks denying the existence of poverty and homelessness in Cuba, which clashed with the visible reality of the situation.
How did the Cuban government respond to the minister's comments?
The government, through Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, distanced itself from the minister's statements, emphasizing that they did not reflect the official policy and stressing ongoing efforts to address poverty and support vulnerable populations.
What is the current state of poverty in Cuba?
Poverty in Cuba is a significant issue, with an estimated 89% of households living in extreme poverty, as reported by the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights. Challenges include economic instability, inflation, and shortages of essential goods.