The renowned Cuban actor Luis Alberto García has joined the criticism of the controversial statements made by the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, who during an official intervention this Monday denied the existence of beggars in Cuba, and even went so far as to criminalize those who ask for alms on the streets.
The statement has sparked a wave of indignation both on and off the island, and García has been one of the public figures who has responded strongly.
For the artist, beyond the gravity of the minister's words, the most concerning aspect was the complicit silence, the lack of reaction from those present.
"This is very serious," he anticipated the actor in a post on his Facebook profile, and then he explained why it is.
“Not a single deputy or participant in the CONCLAVE challenged the minister. And smoke is coming out of the chimney of the Palace of Conventions. This implies that absolutely everyone present thinks the same way and shares the same perception of our surroundings,” he noted.
"We are doing very badly, Camilo,” he concluded, referring to Fidel Castro's legendary question to Camilo Cienfuegos to deliver a verdict on the regime's failure and to illustrate the chasm that exists between the rhetoric of power and the reality that the people are living today.
The silence of the deputies was interpreted by the artist as an alarming indication of institutional consensus that fuels a narrative disconnected from reality.
Furthermore, García made reference to the "conclave" in an ironic tone, alluding to the closed and ceremonial procedure that characterizes these sessions, where there is no room for even the slightest visible dissent.
Irony and Denunciation: “Disguises and Evaders”
In a later post, Luis Alberto García used irony to highlight what he considers an institutional absurdity.
The minister Feitó hinted that many of the people begging on the streets do so "in disguise.", which has sparked a sharp reaction from the actor.
To ridicule that statement, García mentioned well-known professionals from the Cuban film and television technical team - specialists in makeup, costumes, and art direction - as if they were responsible for "disguising" the homeless.
“From the series ‘Disguises and Evaders’… Note, just as an example, the wonderful makeup work that Magaly Pompa and Magdalena Álvarez achieved with the elderly man in the hat. Those emaciated arms! The Art Direction by master Carlos Urdanivia, with the trash bins and doorways that look so real, is a tremendous achievement. And the costume design by Derubín Jacome and Diana Fernández is, as always, a gem. I get goosebumps,” she described, alongside haunting images that confirm the poverty Marta Elena Feitó tried to deny.
A reality that cannot be covered up
The words of the minister, delivered at the Convention Palace in Havana, sparked a flood of criticism on social media.
Even Díaz-Canel himself described this Tuesday as “highly questionable the lack of sensitivity in addressing vulnerability” during the Assembly Committees.
In the words that sparked the controversy, Feitó Cabrera asserted that there are no unprotected individuals or beggars in Cuba, and that those seen on the streets, asking for help or rummaging through the trash, do not represent true cases of poverty, but rather people avoiding work or citizens who reject assistance from the State.
This statement is refuted daily and has been for years, not only by citizen testimonies but also by numerous images and independent reports that show the contrary: the elderly sleeping in parks, people experiencing homelessness, and citizens digging through waste to survive.
Feitó's statement has been described as "outrageous" by activists, independent journalists, and social media users, who point out that the government is trying to conceal an increasing social crisis through denials and the criminalization of poverty.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Minister of Labor's Statements in Cuba and Public Reaction
What did the Minister of Labor of Cuba declare about the homeless?
The Minister of Labor and Social Security of Cuba, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, stated that there are no beggars in Cuba, but rather people "disguised as beggars" who seek an easy way of life to earn money without formal work.
How did Luis Alberto García react to the minister's statements?
The Cuban actor Luis Alberto García harshly criticized the minister's statements, pointing out that the most concerning aspect was the complicit silence of those present in the Assembly, which he viewed as an alarming indication of institutional consensus and a disconnection from the reality of the Cuban people.
What has been the public's reaction on social media?
Social media was flooded with criticism and outrage regarding the minister's statements. Many citizens, artists, and intellectuals have shared images and testimonies that disprove the official claims and reveal the reality of poverty in Cuba. The lack of empathy and the divergence of the official discourse from everyday reality have been the main points of critique.
How did the Cuban government respond to the controversy generated by the minister's statements?
The president Miguel Díaz-Canel issued a vague criticism about the lack of sensitivity in the approach to vulnerability, without directly mentioning the minister. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security has not issued an official statement regarding this, remaining silent amid the controversy.
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