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Amid the political and social storm sparked by the controversial statements of the Cuban Minister of Labor, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, the correspondent for CNN in Cuba, Patrick Oppmann, broke the silence this Tuesday to directly contradict the government.
"This is a woman without legs whom I recently helped when she got stuck in a garbage container while searching for food," the journalist wrote in a post on Instagram.
"After assisting her, I asked for permission to take a photo. I never published it because the experience deeply disturbed me. But last night I was even more disturbed to hear high-ranking officials say that those who search through garbage do so for 'an easy life,'" she emphasized.
He added that the government insists that "there are no beggars in Cuba, when in reality there are more and more."
The testimony responds to the statements made by Feitó Cabrera, who on Monday, during a parliamentary session, claimed that "there are no beggars in Cuba," but rather "disguised" individuals who have chosen an "easy life" instead of working.
"When you look at their hands, their clothing... they are disguised. They have found an easy way of life to make money without working," declared Feitó, who sparked a wave of outrage on social media, independent media, and among exile communities.
Intellectuals, artists, and citizens have denounced the regime's disconnection from the harsh social reality: the visible poverty on the streets, the rise of begging, the search for food in dumpsters, and extreme cases of abandonment.
The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, and the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, published this Tuesday ambiguous messages urging to "not be superficial" when analyzing homelessness and promised that the Revolution "will leave no one behind."
Díaz-Canel described the lack of sensitivity in parliamentary sessions as "very questionable," without directly naming the minister.
Both messages have been interpreted as an attempt to manage the damage without taking political responsibility or holding Feitó accountable.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security continues to publish institutional content without addressing the controversy. Feitó herself issued a generic message about social programs, with no apologies or corrections.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Minister of Labor's Statements in Cuba and Social Reality
What statements made by the Cuban Minister of Labor sparked controversy?
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 to earn money without formal work. These statements denied the existence of extreme poverty in the country and provoked a wave of outrage both inside and outside of Cuba.
How has Cuban society reacted to the minister's statements?
The Cuban society has reacted with outrage and rejection to the minister's words. Intellectuals, artists, citizens, and activists have voiced their discontent through social media, labeling the statements as offensive and disconnected from reality. A campaign has been launched to demand the minister's removal due to her insensitive and lacking in empathy comments.
What has been the Cuban government's response to the controversy generated by the minister's statements?
President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded to the controversy with a vague criticism regarding the lack of sensitivity in the approach to vulnerability, without directly mentioning the minister. This response has been perceived as an attempt to distance himself from the statements without taking political responsibility. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security has remained silent on the matter, continuing with its usual activities without addressing the controversy.
What impact do the minister's statements have on the international perception of the situation in Cuba?
The minister's statements have reinforced the international perception that the Cuban government is disconnected from the social reality of the country. The denial of extreme poverty and the criminalization of vulnerable individuals have been widely criticized by international observers, who point out the severity of the economic and social crisis in Cuba.
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