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The renowned Cuban actor Héctor Noas fiercely criticized the recent statements made by the former Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, who denied the existence of beggars in Cuba and accused them of being "disguised" individuals and "drunks."
In a post published on Facebook, Noas expressed his disbelief upon hearing the words of the official during a session of the Cuban Parliament.
"I thought it was a video created by Artificial Intelligence or just a meme, but no! As sure as it had happened in a session of the National Assembly," he wrote indignantly.
The actor lamented that the country's legislative body—where real issues affecting the population are supposed to be debated—has turned into a space that denies the most painful evidence of the social crisis.
"This has left us with a state of frustration, indignation, and helplessness that is difficult to digest," he stated.
Noas accused the Cuban leaders of demonstrating an "absolute lack of knowledge and empathy" towards ordinary people, which leads them to create "erratic policies that only serve to increase poverty and inequality."
In a direct tone, he criticized the government's disconnection from the reality experienced by the Cuban people.
"When are you going to come down from your heights and look into the desperate eyes of this people? Yes, it’s not enough to lower the windows of your cars. Walk the streets (not on guided tours), talk to the most suffering people who are not in the front lines, see the increasingly impoverished conditions, and stop justifying the desolation," he detailed.
The popular artist also questioned why no one in the Assembly contradicted Feitó's statements.
"How can an official of that level say such things and not feel ashamed? Either they are naive or they lie without shame, and believe me, both options make them unfit to lead such a delicate project," wrote the actor, demanding respect for the less fortunate.
Feitó Cabrera's statements, made on Monday before parliamentary committees, generated a wave of rejection.
The official stated that in Cuba "there are no beggars" and that those who ask for alms or rummage in the trash do so by choice, not out of necessity.
"They are disguised as beggars," he said, describing the phenomenon as an "easy life" to avoid working.
The controversy quickly led to consequences: just a few hours after her statements, the minister submitted her resignation, which was "accepted" by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Council of State.
In an official statement, it was acknowledged that Feitó acted with "a lack of objectivity and sensitivity."
Moved by the scandal, the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel appeared to refer to the case, although he did not mention her directly, stating: "None of us can act with arrogance […] disconnected from the realities that our people experience."
Héctor Noas thus joins the ranks of intellectuals, artists, and citizens who have raised their voices in defense of the most vulnerable.
In his final message, he made his frustration clear: "What else has to happen for the marginalized and a nation battered from all sides to stop being denigrated?"
His post has been widely shared and commented on across social media, highlighting that for many Cubans, the real issue is not the people on the streets, but those in power who refuse to see them.
Other artists have also expressed their outrage.
For the renowned actor Luis Alberto García, beyond the seriousness of the minister's words, the most concerning aspect was the complicit silence, the lack of reaction from those present.
"Not a single deputy or participant in the CONCLAVE stood up to the minister. And the white smoke eventually emerges from 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.
The comedian Ulises Toirac went further by defining himself as just another beggar, and revealed that he is one of many who barely manage to avoid homelessness thanks to the support of relatives or friends, both in and out of the country.
"I wouldn't make it to the end of the month if they don't help me. In Cuba, very few can. We will have clothes that are not from beggars and hands that are not from beggars, but most of us do not live from our sweat," he wrote.
Meanwhile, the Cuban comedian Rigoberto Ferrera expressed irony in a short video posted on his Instagram account: "They say there are no beggars in Cuba, that they are people disguised as beggars... Could it be that there are also people disguised as ministers?" he questioned.
The post was accompanied by a powerful phrase that has resonated with its followers: "They have no shame."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Statements of the Cuban Minister and the Situation of Poverty in Cuba
What did the Minister of Labor of Cuba say about beggars?
The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, stated that there are no beggars in Cuba, but rather "disguised" individuals trying to avoid work. Her statements denied the existence of extreme poverty and sparked a strong public reaction both inside and outside of Cuba.
What was the reaction of Héctor Noas and other Cuban artists to the minister's statements?
Héctor Noas, along with other Cuban artists like Luis Alberto García and Ulises Toirac, harshly criticized the minister's words. Noas expressed his outrage at the government's lack of empathy towards the people, while Toirac referred to himself as a "beggar" to emphasize the precarious conditions in which many Cubans live.
What consequences did the statements of Minister Feitó Cabrera have?
Following the scandal that erupted, Minister Feitó Cabrera submitted her resignation, which was accepted by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Council of State. The resignation came amid a wave of criticism and memes on social media that mocked her claims.
How did the Cuban government respond to the minister's statements?
The ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel described the lack of sensitivity in the approach to vulnerability during the Assembly Commissions as "highly questionable." However, he did not directly mention the minister in his statement, which has been interpreted as an attempt to distance himself from the scandal without assuming direct political responsibility.
What is the real situation of poverty in Cuba according to studies and testimonies?
According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, 89% of Cuban families live in extreme poverty. Testimonials from artists, journalists, and citizens have shown images and accounts that highlight the presence of homeless individuals and extreme poverty, contradicting the minister's claims about the non-existence of beggars in the country.
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