The Cuban regime has launched an institutional offensive against homeless individuals, the so-called “harassers” of tourists, and the employment of minors in work, according to a statement published by the official portal of the government of Matanzas.
Marieta Poey Zamora, the Governor of the province, ordered the immediate creation of multisectoral groups in all municipalities to address what she defined as "negative behaviors," including vagrancy, harassment of foreign visitors, and child labor exploitation, in both the public and private sectors.
Poey urged the authorities to identify, control, transport, and "receive" these individuals in temporary centers, where — as he detailed — they will be provided with food, hygiene, medical care, and cultural or sporting activities.
However, the government statements do not include figures on how many people might be affected or whether there will be any voluntary or legal process for such interventions.
The governor emphasized that the ultimate goal should be the family and social reintegration of those affected, and even suggested the possibility of providing state financial support to those who manage to return to their families.
In the case of individuals with mental disorders, it was noted that they should be placed in hospital facilities, including psychiatric ones.
For his part, Lázaro González Valera, the provincial director of Labor and Social Security, recalled that all these actions are "supported by laws and decrees," and mentioned the legal document that classifies behaviors such as systematic harassment of tourists or family abandonment as offenses.
One of the most critical points of the announcement was the warning about the employment of individuals under 17 years old, which is considered a serious violation, whether in state-owned or private businesses.
Among the activities mentioned are agricultural work, handling vehicles, cars and carts, or street vending.
The authorities warned that these cases will be severely punished.
Finally, the so-called Groups for Confronting Negative Behaviors — local structures for surveillance and control — will operate "at full capacity" in each district to investigate and sanction these situations, the governor stated.
Since mid-2024, the Cuban government began to strengthen its institutional narrative regarding the increasing presence of homeless individuals on the streets of the country.
For example, in June, an update to the state policy was announced to address individuals experiencing homelessness, with a focus on their forced relocation to social protection centers.
This measure, promoted by the Council of Ministers, reaffirmed the responsibility of local governments in the prevention and control of homelessness, while justifying the action as part of a response to the "behavioral instability" of those living on the streets.
In March of last year, the regime began to shift the responsibility for the phenomenon of begging onto the citizens.
The government discourse insisted that "wanderer behavior" was a consequence of addictions or poor family decisions, deliberately ignoring structural causes such as inflation, shortages, or the deterioration of the social system. The criticism highlighted that the regime employed a focus on social control rather than effective assistance.
Furthermore, the official press intensified its media campaign by attributing the increase in beggars to "personal issues" such as alcoholism, family abandonment, or mental disorders.
Instead of acknowledging the structural crisis of the economic model, the regime preferred to highlight a narrative focused on individual failures.
Recently, the government has attempted to present as achievements the "rescues" of homeless individuals through street collection campaigns. They highlighted testimonies from people taken to shelters while omitting the coercive elements of the process.
The use of state media to legitimize this policy was perceived as a public relations operation rather than a sincere effort to address the root causes of marginalization.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Regime's Offensive against Beggars and "Harassers" of Tourists
What measures has the Cuban regime taken against homeless individuals and the "harassers" of tourists in Matanzas?
The Cuban regime has ordered the creation of multisectoral groups in all municipalities of Matanzas to address issues such as vagrancy and harassment of tourists. These individuals will be identified, monitored, transported, and "received" in temporary centers where they will receive food, hygiene, and medical attention.
What is the ultimate goal of the measures against negative behaviors in Matanzas?
The governor's stated objective is the family and social reintegration of individuals affected by these measures, including the possibility of providing state financial support to those who manage to return to their family unit.
What actions will be taken in cases of child labor exploitation in Matanzas?
Authorities have classified the employment of minors under 17 years old in agricultural or commercial jobs as a serious violation. These cases will be severely penalized, in both the public and private sectors, according to current laws.
How does this offensive relate to the broader context of the crisis in Cuba?
The regime's offensive in Matanzas takes place within a broader context of economic and social crisis on the island, characterized by rising poverty, begging, and informal activities due to the government's ineffectiveness in addressing the basic needs of the population.
What criticisms have been made of the Cuban regime's approach to begging?
Critics argue that the Cuban regime chooses to criminalize begging instead of addressing the structural causes of poverty. The government blames external factors and individual issues, evading its responsibility in the economic and social crisis the country is facing.
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