Following the statements made by Minister Marta Elena Feitó regarding the alleged existence of "disguised beggars" in Cuba, social media has been flooded with outraged responses that reveal the real poverty the regime attempts to mask.
Intellectuals, artists, journalists, and citizens have responded with images, testimonies, and messages that unmask an increasingly undeniable social reality, despite the statements made by the Minister of Labor and Social Security.
One person who reacted emphatically was architect Julio Herrera, who shared a video on his X profile showing homeless individuals in the heart of the Cuban capital.
"If Havana is not filled with beggars, then I must be blind or be the Minister of Labor and Social Security. Let me introduce you to the beggars that the minister says are 'disguised' people," he wrote sarcastically.
Feitó's statement, made during an intervention before the Cuban Parliament, has sparked widespread backlash, even prompting the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel to distance himself from his minister.
"We cannot criminalize poverty," the leader said in a brief statement reported this Tuesday by official media, in response to the growing public discontent.
Another voice that joined was that of journalist Boris Luis Cabrera Acosta, who was emphatic on his Facebook account.
"He spoke about those who clean windshields, rummage through containers, or beg as if they were disguised bandits (...) Denying the existence of visible poverty, labeling misery with criminalizing tags, is an act of arrogance that morally disarms us as a country," he wrote in a piece titled Sad Reflections.
Cabrera also denounced that "the real Cuba does not fit into graphs or polished speeches," and reminded that as long as there is even one person rummaging through a can to eat, no public official should rest easy.
Musician Dagoberto Pedraja joined the criticism, publishing a reflection titled Conceptual Update on Facebook.
"Beggars wander, beggars are vulnerable, they have addictions, soul, and heart. And they did not exist in my country," she wrote.
"Note: there are also 'white-collar' beggars," he added, in a clear reference to the ruling elite.
For his part, the popular actor Luis Alberto García used irony to denounce the official lack of empathy.
In a sarcastic post titled From the series "COSTUMES and EVADERS," it was written: “Notice, to give just one example, the wonderful makeup work that Magaly Pompa and Magdalena Álvarez achieved with the elderly man in the hat. Those scrawny arms!”
And he concluded: "It makes me prickly."
The posts have generated thousands of reactions on social media and have strengthened the widespread rejection of statements that, instead of offering solutions, blame the poorest for their own misery.
From various sectors of Cuban civil society, the message is clear: stop denying poverty and start addressing it with social justice, dignity, and political responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Minister's Statements and Indigence in Cuba
What did the Minister of Labor and Social Security of Cuba say about begging in the country?
Minister Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera stated that in Cuba there are no beggars, only people disguised as beggars. According to her, these individuals have found an easy way of life to make money without formal employment. Her remarks sparked a wave of criticism and outrage both inside and outside the island.
What has been the reaction of the public and public figures to the minister's statements?
The minister's statements have been strongly criticized by citizens, intellectuals, artists, and journalists, who have used social media to express their outrage. Figures such as architect Julio Herrera and journalist Boris Luis Cabrera have shared images and testimonies that contradict the official narrative, showcasing the real poverty in the streets of Cuba.
How has the Cuban government responded to the controversy generated by the minister's statements?
The ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his views on the lack of sensitivity in the approach to vulnerability, although he did not directly mention the minister. His response has been viewed as ambiguous and as an attempt to distance himself without taking direct political responsibility.
What is the current situation of poverty and extreme poverty in Cuba according to available data?
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights estimates that 89% of Cuban families live in extreme poverty. Furthermore, the Cuban government has acknowledged the existence of over 1,200 communities living in conditions of misery, which contrasts with the minister's statements.
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