Wed Jul 16 05:56:52 UTC 2025: **Cuban Labour Minister Resigns After Dismissing Poverty Claims**
**Havana, Cuba** – Cuban Labour and Social Security Minister Marta Elena Feito Cabrera has resigned after sparking outrage by denying the existence of poverty in Cuba. In comments made to a National Assembly committee, Feito claimed there were “no beggars” in Cuba, only people “disguised as beggars” and accused those cleaning car windscreens of living “easy” lives. She further criticized individuals scavenging in rubbish dumps, alleging they were doing so to resell materials and avoid paying taxes.
Her remarks ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many Cubans taking to social media to express their anger and calls for her impeachment. The backlash comes at a time when Cuba is grappling with a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by a long-standing U.S. trade embargo and recent energy shortages.
Even Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel publicly rebuked Feito, stating on X that “The lack of sensitivity in addressing vulnerability is highly questionable.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to leaving no one behind.
The Cuban presidency confirmed Feito’s resignation on Wednesday, stating that she had “acknowledged her errors and submitted her resignation” due to her “lack of objectivity and sensitivity.”
Cuba attributes its economic difficulties to the U.S. embargo, imposed in 1960 and tightened by the Trump administration. While the embargo has faced widespread international condemnation, recent sanctions imposed by the U.S. on President Diaz-Canel and a luxury hotel have further strained the island’s economy, which heavily relies on tourism. Adding to the troubles is a decline in subsidized Venezuelan oil, causing energy crisis and blackouts. Before these events however, in 2019, the UN reported that Cuba was an upper middle income country with $9,296 gross domestic product per person.