Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has appointed Jesús Otamendiz Campos as the new Minister of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), following the resignation of Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera last month due to the uproar over her comments on poverty and homelessness on the island. The decision was made by the Council of State, proposed by the government head of "continuity" and previously approved by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), according to official media reports.
At 50 years old, Otamendiz was previously serving as the vice-governor of Havana, a role he had held since 2023. With a law degree and a doctorate in Pedagogical Sciences, he has also studied Public Administration and has held various political and administrative roles since his beginnings as an instructor for the Union of Young Communists (UJC) in the Cerro municipality.
In 2005, he was promoted to head of the Organization Department of the UJC Provincial Committee in Havana, and in 2008, he led the Social Workers Program in the capital. His career has been closely tied to the MTSS since then, where he has held positions such as Director of Training and Development, Director of Employment, and Deputy Minister. In 2021, he was appointed First Deputy Minister and later promoted to vice-governor of the capital, remaining as "immediate reserve" for the ministry's leadership. His appointment comes at a particularly sensitive time for the institution, following the political crisis triggered by Feitó Cabrera's statements.
The Fallout of Feitó Cabrera's Remarks
The former minister stepped down on July 15, after stating in parliament that "there are no beggars" in Cuba and that people living on the streets were "drunks" or "people disguised as beggars to make easy money." Her words sparked widespread public backlash, leading to her resignation. Although Díaz-Canel didn't name Feitó Cabrera directly, he criticized a few days later the lack of empathy among some leaders: "None of us can act arrogantly, with overconfidence, disconnected from the realities our people live."
Challenges Awaiting the New Minister
With Otamendiz Campos's appointment, the government seeks to restore credibility to the MTSS, a crucial department amid the severe socio-economic crisis plaguing the country, characterized by inflation, unemployment, and rising poverty. The new minister also faces the challenge of managing a deteriorating labor market, with thousands of Cubans emigrating and worsening conditions in both the state and private sectors.
The "continuity" government has presented Otamendiz as a figure with "positive results" and "leadership capacity," yet skepticism remains among citizens regarding the potential for real changes in the regime's social and labor policies.
Key Questions About Cuba's New Minister of Labor and Social Security
Who is Jesús Otamendiz Campos?
Jesús Otamendiz Campos is the newly appointed Minister of Labor and Social Security in Cuba, previously serving as vice-governor of Havana. He has a background in law and pedagogical sciences.
Why did Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera resign?
Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera resigned following public outrage over her comments in parliament, where she claimed there were no beggars in Cuba and labeled homeless individuals as "drunks" or "disguised beggars."
What are the challenges facing Cuba's new Minister of Labor?
Jesús Otamendiz faces the task of restoring credibility to the MTSS amidst Cuba's socio-economic crisis, characterized by inflation, unemployment, and increasing poverty. He must also address a declining labor market and emigration issues.