Havana (AP) – The Cuban Minister, who triggered criticism after saying that there were no beggars in Cuba, only people masked as such resigned on Tuesday.
Kuby’s Presidency of Post X O X that the Minister of Labor and Social Security Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera “acknowledged her mistakes and presented her resignation”.
Feito made comments on Monday before MEPs in the National Assembly. Comments became viral and encouraged challenges for charging feito and wave of criticism in the country that experienced and Harsh economic situation in recent years.
Even Cuban President Miguel Diaz-panel was critical. Without mentioning it by name but referring to a meeting in the National Assembly Committee where he attended Feito, Díaz-Canel He said on his account X: “Lack of sensitivity in solving vulnerability is highly controversial. The revolution cannot leave anyone behind; this is our motto, our militant responsibility.”
The economic crisis In Cuba, it has increased social vulnerability and led to unusual scenes for island, such as people – especially older persons – begging or garbage bins or some windshield cleaning in rocks.
“We have seen people, apparently beggars, (but), when you look at their hands, look at the clothes that people who are wearing are masked like beggars, they are not beggars,” Feitó said before the National Committee for the Assembly. “There are no beggars in Cuba.”
She added that people who clean the windshield use money to “drink alcohol”.
Feito also set out against those looking for landfills. She said they were recovering the materials “for further sale and not pay tax”.
Only a few years ago, despite poverty, there were no signs of begging or homelessness on the island due to the benefits that have now been significantly reduced.
The pensioner’s pension is about 2,000 Cuban pesos per month, about $ 5 in the informal market and just at the cost of the egg box. For those who do not receive remittances from the family abroad, that is, hunger.
The self -employed Enrique Guillén believes that the minister is wrong and that some people do not see the situation clearly, hoping the government will act.
“They are older people who are counting on a pension that does not exist. They cannot even buy a box of eggs. It is a reality we live in Cuba,” Guillén said.
On Monday, the island authorities said that the gross domestic product of Cuba in 2024 fell by 1.1% and over the past five years has gathered a decline of 11%.
(Tagstotranslate) Cuban Minister
