• Cuban Minister of Labour and Social Security, Marta Elena Feito, resigns after remarks denying beggars exist in Cuba.
• Feito suggested that people scavenging are merely pretending to be beggars to earn easy money.
• The comments sparked criticism from the public and the Cuban president, leading to her resignation.

Cuban Minister of Labour and Social Security, Marta Elena Feito Cabrera, resigned following incendiary comments stating there are no beggars in Cuba, only individuals disguising themselves as such. This occurred during a session with deputies in the National Assembly, where Feito claimed, “We have seen people, apparently beggars, but when you look at their hands, look at the clothes these people are wearing, they are disguised as beggars; they are not beggars,” according to SCMP and BBC.

Her statements provoked widespread backlash as they underscored the disconnect between the government and the growing economic plight of Cubans. President Miguel Díaz-Canel remarked, without naming Feito, that “the lack of sensitivity in addressing vulnerability is highly questionable,” highlighting the need for empathy in governance. The president's response demonstrated the government’s acknowledgment of the issue following public outrage, as noted by BBC and Al Jazeera.

The economic situation in Cuba has deteriorated considerably, with food shortages and increased poverty becoming apparent realities for many citizens. Feito's statement that “there are people pretending to be beggars to make easy money” further fueled frustrations, especially since many have witnessed the rise in visible poverty, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

In her resignation announcement, it was stated that Feito exhibited a lack of “objectivity and sensitivity on topics that are currently central to political and governmental policy.” This public reaction to her comments reflects the mounting frustration among Cubans who feel their struggles are ignored by the authorities, according to SCMP and India Times.