The former Minister of Labor and Social Security of Cuba, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, has been virtually erased from the public sphere: all the content she had posted on her X account since taking office has disappeared.
This is an obvious attempt to clean up their digital footprint following the scandal caused by their recent statements denying the existence of homeless people on the Island.
Simultaneously, the official account of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) maintains a deafening silence regarding the controversial issue. There has been no mention of the political crisis triggered by its former minister, nor a word about her abrupt departure.
Instead, it continues to publish institutional messages about labor issues as if nothing had happened.
The disappearance of Feitó from the digital sphere comes after his forced resignation, which he submitted hours later after stating in the National Assembly that beggars do not exist in Cuba, and that those who ask for handouts, clean windshields, or rummage through the trash do so "by choice," because they "prefer an easy life."
For the then-minister, those people are "disguised as beggars" and are "illegal self-employed workers".
His statements not only downplayed the visible misery across all provinces of the country but also criminalized poverty, generating a wave of outrage both within and outside of Cuba.
Artists, intellectuals, activists, and ordinary citizens voiced their unanimous rejection, denouncing the institutional disregard for the most vulnerable.
The Prime Minister himself, Manuel Marrero Cruz, was compelled to address the crisis in Parliament.
He stated that Feitó had acknowledged her "mistake" in an internal meeting and requested to be relieved of her position because she "did not feel capable" of continuing.
Marrero tried to soften the official's departure by praising her "bravery" and "hard work" at the head of the organization, but he also distanced himself: "What the colleague proposed does not align with the government's policy."
However, the gesture was perceived by many as a damage control act, more focused on protecting the regime's image than on taking responsibility for a statement that, although officially repudiated, reflects the institutional mindset that criminalizes poverty and evades its structural origins.
The ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel also reacted ambiguously, without mentioning Feitó by name, stating that "none of us can act with arrogance, disconnected from the realities our people experience."
His words, far from calming the outrage, were interpreted as a calculated attempt to distance himself.
Meanwhile, the MTSS continues its routine of technical publications without mentioning the scandal. Feitó even published a message on X hours before his downfall, where he discussed protection for vulnerable individuals and the importance of popular oversight.
That post was also deleted as part of the digital sweep that erases its presence in the ministry.
The controversy also had international repercussions.
Media outlets such as BBC, El País, CNN, Al Jazeera, France 24, and Deutsche Welle covered the scandal, criticizing the cynicism of the Cuban government and the disconnection of its leaders from social reality.
The World mocked by saying that beggars in Cuba "are street actors according to the minister." CNN emphasized that Feitó's words outraged both opponents and supporters of the government.
The facts dismantle the "social protection" narrative that the Cuban government tries to uphold in the face of a population experiencing one of its worst economic crises: rampant inflation, food and medicine shortages, unemployment, and widespread impoverishment.
According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, 89% of households live in extreme poverty, and Feitó had admitted in February that more than 1,200 communities in the country live in miserable conditions.
This complex situation was compounded by an even more uncomfortable revelation for the regime: the ex-minister's own son, Alejandro Fernández Feitó, publicly broke ties with the government from Miami, where he resides after emigrating in 2024 through the humanitarian parole program.
In statements to Martí Noticias, he asserted that he does not share the regime's ideology: "My political vision is completely opposed", he said. "I cannot be held responsible for what she says or has been told to say."
The downfall of Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera exposes the hypocrisy of a system that portrays itself as a guarantor of social justice, yet crushes the vulnerable and arrogantly denies poverty.
Deleting it from X does not erase the problem: it only confirms that the Cuban government, instead of facing the people directly, prefers to look the other way.
Frequently Asked Questions about the controversy involving the former Minister of Labor and Social Security of Cuba
Why did Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera resign as Minister of Labor and Social Security of Cuba?
Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera resigned due to the wave of outrage generated by her statements in which she denied the existence of beggars in Cuba, referring to homeless individuals as "disguised as beggars." This assertion was perceived as insensitive and out of touch with the reality of the country, leading to criticism both within and outside of Cuba.
How did the Cuban government react to Feitó's statements?
The Cuban government attempted to distance itself from Feitó's statements. The Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, asserted that what the former minister proposed "does not align with government policy." Ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel also commented on the importance of not acting with arrogance, although he did not directly mention Feitó. The resignation was swiftly accepted as an attempt to manage the damage.
What was the international community's reaction to this scandal?
The scandal had a significant international impact. Media outlets such as BBC, CNN, El País, and Deutsche Welle covered the story, highlighting the insensitivity of the minister's statements. The controversy was seen as a reflection of the Cuban government's disconnection from social reality and contributed to increased international scrutiny of the situation on the island.
What impact did this scandal have on public opinion in Cuba?
The impact on public opinion in Cuba was significant. Artists, intellectuals, activists, and ordinary citizens expressed their rejection of Feitó's statements, denouncing the institutional disdain for the most vulnerable. A campaign was started to demand his dismissal, and outrage even spread to social media with memes and criticisms directed at both Feitó and the regime in general.
What does this incident reveal about the socioeconomic situation in Cuba?
This incident highlights the profound socioeconomic crisis facing Cuba. The former minister's statements contrast with the reality of extreme poverty experienced by a large part of the population, exacerbated by inflation, food and medicine shortages, and unemployment. According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, 89% of households live in extreme poverty, underscoring the government's disconnect from the needs of its citizens.
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