Alejandro Fernández Feitó, the son of Cuba's former Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, has publicly denounced the Cuban regime, distancing himself from his mother's political stance. Having relocated to Florida in 2024 through the humanitarian parole program initiated by the Biden administration, he has openly criticized the governing system of the island.
“My political views are completely different,” Fernández Feitó stated in an interview with journalist Mario J. Pentón for Martí Noticias. He added, “I cannot be held accountable for what she says or what she is instructed to say,” referring to his mother, whose recent comments at the National Assembly of People's Power sparked outrage both inside and outside of Cuba.
A Controversial Exit Following Public Outcry
The former minister faced widespread backlash after declaring in the Assembly that “there are no beggars in Cuba,” describing them instead as people who have chosen “an easy way of life.” Her remarks, heavily criticized on social media and by independent outlets, not only angered the public but also seemed to prompt a rebuke from leader Miguel Díaz-Canel. Soon after, the Communist Party's Political Bureau accepted Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera’s resignation.
However, her departure did little to quell criticism of a system that denies the country's structural poverty while thousands of Cubans continue to leave in search of basic freedoms and better living conditions. In this context, her son decided to speak up, establishing both a familial and ideological distance. “I cannot be held responsible for what she says or is told to say, my political vision is entirely opposite,” Alejandro reiterated.
Seeking a Future Beyond the Island
As an engineer with a technical background and experience in state and military entities like Cubatur and the tech company DATYS, Fernández Feitó described his emigration as driven by a “generational conviction” rather than an immediate political crisis. “With the humanitarian parole, I saw the chance of a lifetime to gain the freedom I never had. There is no future on that island. Everyone leaves seeking the rights and opportunities denied in their homeland,” he declared.
Alejandro has scrubbed his social media of any professional ties to the Cuban state apparatus. He explained that he never engaged politically nor was affiliated with any power structures. “In Cuba, you know that speaking your mind can cost you your job or land you in jail. But there comes a point when you can't take it anymore,” he confessed.
The Burden of Repression and Admiration for the Brave
He also shared how his personality and environment influenced his decision to avoid direct political confrontation while living on the island. “I never engaged in any violent activities in Cuba because it goes against my very nature, which is calm and extremely introverted, and I know that in Cuba, they can ruin your life in an instant,” he explained.
Despite this, Fernández Feitó expressed deep respect for those who, despite the risks, chose to stand up to the regime. “I have immense admiration for all who have had the courage to act against the dictatorship and are now imprisoned in the island's jails,” he stated.
Discussing his personal aspirations, he emphasized the country's structural deficiencies where he was born. “I am a person with clear life goals: from wanting to travel and earn a living wage to basic things like having electricity or water in my own home,” he said.
A Growing Trend
Alejandro Fernández Feitó's case is not unique. In recent years, several children of high-ranking Cuban officials have migrated to the United States. Some have done so quietly, while others, like him, have chosen to openly break with the system that their parents helped sustain. Journalist Mario Pentón noted that Fernández Feitó “condemned the Cuban dictatorship” and highlighted the young man's use of that term, reaffirming that his political stance is fundamentally opposed to his mother's.
Understanding the Cuban Exodus
Why did Alejandro Fernández Feitó decide to speak out against the Cuban regime?
Alejandro Fernández Feitó decided to speak out against the Cuban regime to distance himself from his mother's political views and to express his opposition to the governing system on the island.
What prompted Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera's resignation?
Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera's resignation was prompted by widespread backlash over her comments in the National Assembly, where she claimed there were no beggars in Cuba, sparking outrage among citizens and prompting a rebuke from the Communist Party.
How have other children of Cuban officials reacted to their parents' political roles?
In recent years, several children of Cuban officials have emigrated to the United States. While some have remained silent, others, like Alejandro Fernández Feitó, have openly criticized the political system their parents helped maintain.