The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, reappeared this Monday in Pinar del Río with a new visit to a center for individuals with "wandering behavior," as the regime describes the homeless who have become a common sight in the streets and parks of the country.
According to the official Government account on X, after participating in the national event for the start of the school year, Marrero traveled to the provincial capital to tour facilities of “economic and social” interest.
The first point was the Center for Attention to Individuals with Wandering Behavior, with a capacity for 20 people, where the head of government reiterated the alleged "humanitarian character" of these transit sites.
The visit is part of a series of official tours that Marrero has undertaken in recent months to similar institutions in Ciego de Ávila and Matanzas, following the scandal caused by the former Minister of Labor, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, who denied the existence of beggars in Cuba in July and eventually resigned after a wave of criticism.
Since then, the Government has tried to portray an image of concern and social attention, through visits to newly inaugurated or renovated centers.
However, the testimonies of citizens and everyday images in the streets reveal a very different reality, where elderly people, individuals with mental illnesses, and entire families can be seen surviving amid garbage and institutional indifference.
Homelessness, an impossible problem to hide
Although the official discourse insists on talking about "vulnerable people" or "street dwellers," Marrero recently acknowledged that this is "a real problem we have" and promised to provide "appropriate treatment" for each case. However, Cubans point out that these visits are merely staged events.
In Matanzas, for example, the sudden appearance of electricity in neighborhoods plagued by blackouts coincided with the presence of the prime minister, which reinforced the perception that each official visit beautifies reality rather than addressing it.
The Cuban government claims that these centers aim to "reinstate" the homeless into society, but activists and citizens describe them as spaces of mandatory confinement, precarious and lacking fundamental solutions.
In parallel, independent reports estimate that more than 80% of Cubans live in poverty, which fuels marginalization and increases the number of homeless individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Manuel Marrero's Visit to Homeless Shelters in Cuba
What is the aim of Manuel Marrero's visits to the shelters for the homeless in Cuba?
The declared objective of the Cuban government is to showcase the "humanistic character" of the Revolution and highlight the social attention given to vulnerable individuals. However, many citizens and critics view these visits as a staged performance aimed at masking the true reality of poverty and neglect that is experienced on the streets of Cuba.
What has motivated Marrero's recent visits to these centers?
The visits from Marrero have been partly motivated by the scandal sparked by the statements of the former Minister of Labor, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, who denied the existence of beggars in Cuba. This triggered a wave of criticism and her subsequent resignation, which has led the government to try to project an image of concern and social attention.
What is the real situation of homelessness in Cuba according to reports and testimonies?
Despite the government's efforts to hide it, homelessness is a real and growing problem in Cuba. Testimonies and independent reports highlight the presence of the elderly, mentally ill individuals, and entire families living on the streets without institutional support. More than 80% of Cubans live in poverty, which fuels marginalization.
How do Cuban citizens perceive the government's actions towards the homeless?
Many Cubans view the government's actions as insufficient and criticize them for being more of a spectacle than a real solution. Official visits coincide with temporary improvements, such as the restoration of electricity in areas affected by blackouts, which reinforces the idea that this is more of a façade than a genuine effort to address the problem.
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