MWE Correspondent
Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, Cuba’s former Minister of Labour and Social Security, has resigned following widespread outrage over remarks dismissing the existence of beggars in the country.
Her statement—made during a session of the National Assembly of People’s Power—claimed there are “no beggars” in Cuba and labelled people seen scavenging through garbage or cleaning car windows as simply looking for “easy money.” The comment provoked a fierce backlash, with many Cubans viewing it as deeply out of touch with the country’s worsening economic situation.
Feitó’s remarks quickly went viral, triggering a firestorm on social media and sparking a national debate about the true state of poverty in Cuba. Hashtags such as #FeitoRenuncia (#FeitóResign) trended across platforms, as Cubans from all walks of life shared firsthand images and stories of economic struggle, homelessness, and hunger.
Several activists and university professors openly condemned her statements, arguing they insulted the dignity of thousands of Cubans living on the edge of survival. An online petition calling for her resignation garnered thousands of signatures in just days.
In a rare move, President Miguel Díaz-Canel himself publicly contradicted Feitó, acknowledging that homelessness and extreme poverty do exist and need to be addressed compassionately.
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Cuba is currently facing one of its worst economic crises in decades, driven by a combination of internal inefficiencies, external pressures, and global shocks.
- The COVID-19 pandemic severely damaged the tourism sector, a major source of income.
- The ongoing U.S. embargo continues to limit access to trade and financial systems.
- Inflation has spiked, food and fuel are scarce, and some retirees reportedly survive on monthly pensions worth less than $10.
Such conditions have pushed many families into poverty, with reports of elderly people begging in public spaces and children rummaging through waste in search of food or recyclable materials.
After days of sustained criticism from both inside and outside government circles, Feitó officially tendered her resignation. According to Cuban state media, her resignation was accepted by the Council of State, though no specific replacement has yet been named.
Observers say the move is a rare example of political accountability in a country where dissent against the ruling class is often discouraged or suppressed.
“Feitó’s downfall is not just about one comment,” said a former Cuban diplomat. “It reflects the deep frustration people feel when their lived reality is denied by those in power.”
While Feitó’s resignation marks a symbolic victory for public pressure, it remains to be seen whether the Cuban government will take more tangible steps to address the underlying issues she downplayed. Citizens are calling for increased transparency, better social protection, and more inclusive policymaking—particularly as migration increases and food insecurity grows.
“Resignation is a start, but hunger doesn’t quit,” wrote one user on Twitter, tagging Cuban officials.
