HAVANA — A Cuban minister sparked criticism Tuesday, together with from the president, after saying that there aren’t any beggars in Cuba, solely individuals disguised as such, and suggesting that those that clear windshields at crossroads have an “simple” life.
Cuba’s Minister of Labor and Social Safety, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, made the feedback on Monday earlier than deputies in a Nationwide Meeting committee. They went viral, prompting requires Feitós’ impeachment and a wave of criticism in a rustic experiencing a tricky financial scenario lately.
The financial disaster in Cuba has elevated social vulnerability and led to uncommon scenes for the island, akin to individuals — particularly the aged — begging or scavenging by means of rubbish, or some cleansing windshields at corners.
“Now we have seen individuals, apparently beggars, (however) if you have a look at their palms, have a look at the garments these persons are carrying, they’re disguised as beggars, they don’t seem to be beggars,” Feitó mentioned earlier than the Nationwide Meeting committee. “In Cuba there aren’t any beggars.”
She added that folks cleansing windshields use the cash to “drink alcohol.”
Feitó additionally lashed out towards those that search by means of the rubbish dumps. She mentioned they’re recovering supplies “to resell and never pay tax.”
With out mentioning her identify, however referring to the assembly on the Nationwide Meeting committee the place Feitó participated, President Miguel Díaz-Canel mentioned on his X account: “the shortage of sensitivity in addressing vulnerability is extremely questionable. The revolution can’t go away anybody behind; that’s our motto, our militant accountability.”
Till just a few years in the past, regardless of the poverty, there have been no indicators of begging or homelessness on the island because of advantages which have now been tremendously lowered.
The pension of a retiree is about 2,000 Cuban pesos monthly, roughly $5 on the casual market, and just below the price of a carton of eggs. For many who don’t obtain remittances from household overseas, it means going hungry.
Self-employed Enrique Guillén believes the minister is unsuitable and that some individuals don’t see the scenario clearly, and hopes the federal government will take motion.
“They’re aged individuals who depend on a pension that doesn’t exist. They can’t even purchase a carton of eggs. It’s the actuality we live in Cuba,” Guillén mentioned.
On Monday, island authorities reported that Cuba’s gross home product fell by 1.1% in 2024, accumulating a decline of 11% over the previous 5 years.