The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, sparked a wave of outrage after stating in Parliament that in Cuba “there are no beggars,” but rather people “disguised as beggars” who have found an “easy” way to make a living without formal work.
The words, uttered during a working committee of the National Assembly, not only denied the existence of extreme poverty in the country but also openly criminalized those who wander the streets in search of food or alms.
The citizens' reaction was immediate. One of the most striking responses came from Cuban broadcaster Laritza Camacho, who wrote an emotional post on Facebook in defense of the most vulnerable.
"I have truly looked at the hands, face, teeth, and even the soul of many beggars... I'm not even talking about the elderly who have a home but live alone in extreme poverty... There's also (it must be said) the alcoholic who cleans windshields and keeps falling deeper... but we cannot forget that they are human beings who need social care," he said.
He sharply emphasized, "With many, it could have been avoided that they reached such degradation."
Camacho criticized the simplism of the official discourse, pointing out that the situation of street children is “a topic so complex and difficult that it deserves a separate discussion in social studies and discourse, a discourse that should not be black and white or presented in such a simplistic and flat manner.”
With visceral words, the speaker evoked images that starkly contrast with the official narrative: “I have seen them bathing in the fountain of Mercaderes, asking how much the soup costs to pay for it... I have seen them with toothaches and with swollen scrotums from some hernia... I have seen them very old and honest, wanting to do some odd jobs, crying with bread in hand…”
He added bluntly: "We have also seen how they round them up during important events in the city or the country, so that at least for the duration of the event, they don't wander around. I cannot deny what my eyes have seen. What I have touched is not a statistic from the ONEI... it is part of life in the capital and throughout Cuba."
The communicator concluded with a call for empathy and social honesty: “We have a problem and we are responsible. The discourse cannot be cleaner than the hands that ask for alms.”
The Cuban economist Pedro Monreal also criticized Feitó's words.
In X, he wrote: “The ‘minister’ of miserable salaries and pensions has delivered the most brazenly reactionary speech about ‘continuity’. She claims that in Cuba there are no beggars, only people disguised as beggars. It must be that there are also people disguised as ‘ministers’.”
And she stated: “It seems that the ‘minister’ does not care about the poor, but rather about how they appear. She labels them as drunks, pretenders, and illegals. Ma'am, the fight is against poverty, not against the poor. Stop those delusions and propose decent wages and pensions."
The reactions reflect a deep unease towards a reality that, far from disappearing by decree, continues to be present in every corner of the island.
As Camacho said, “I invite you to walk through the streets without any commission of hype, without applause. I invite you to inquire about each story.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Poverty and Begging in Cuba
What did the Minister of Labor of Cuba declare about the homeless?
The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, stated that in Cuba there are no beggars, but rather people "disguised as beggars." According to her, these individuals have found an easy way to make a living without formal work. These statements have generated significant outrage, as they deny the phenomenon of extreme poverty in the country and criminalize those who seek food or alms.
How has the public reacted to the minister's statements?
The words of Minister Feitó Cabrera have provoked a strong citizen reaction. Cuban broadcaster Laritza Camacho and economist Pedro Monreal have openly criticized the statements. Camacho defended homeless individuals and emphasized the need for empathy and social attention, while Monreal criticized the reactionary approach and the lack of proposals to improve wages and pensions.
What is the situation of poverty in Cuba according to recent reports?
89% of Cuban families experience extreme poverty according to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights. Additionally, the firm DatoWorld has classified Cuba as the poorest country in Latin America, with a poverty rate of 72%. This situation is set against one of the worst economic crises in the country, exacerbated by ineffective public policies and lack of state protection.
What does the Cuban government propose to address extreme poverty?
The Cuban government, through the Minister of Labor, has declared that 96% of issues related to extreme poverty are "in the process of comprehensive transformation." However, critics point to the lack of effective institutional action and the disinterest of the authorities. The failure to execute the budget allocated for social assistance in several provinces has also been a cause for concern.
Filed under: