In a dramatic political turn, Cuba’s Labor and Social Security Minister Marta Elena Feito resigned Tuesday after widespread backlash over her controversial remarks downplaying the country’s visible poverty crisis.

Feito, who had been addressing a parliamentary committee on anti-poverty initiatives, claimed that individuals seen scavenging for food in garbage bins were not truly destitute but rather “disguised as beggars.” Her comments, broadcast live on state television, immediately ignited fury across Cuban social media, with citizens sharing images of real-life hardship and economic despair from the streets of Havana and beyond.

“In Cuba, there are no beggars,” Feito insisted during the session, drawing sharp criticism for her perceived insensitivity and detachment from reality. State media later reported that she had “acknowledged her mistake” and stepped down due to a “lack of objectivity and sensitivity.”

President Miguel Díaz-Canel swiftly rebuked Feito’s remarks, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that government officials must remain connected to the people’s suffering. “None of us can act with arrogance or pretense,” he told parliament. He acknowledged the presence of beggars in the country as “concrete expressions of social inequalities and the problems we face.”

Cuba is currently undergoing its worst economic crisis in three decades. Daily life is burdened by hyperinflation, chronic food and fuel shortages, and rolling blackouts. Observers cite a combination of factors including ongoing U.S. sanctions, internal mismanagement, and the collapse of the island’s tourism-dependent economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to official data, approximately 350,000 Cubans—out of a population of 9.7 million—are living in “vulnerable” conditions and rely on state social assistance. However, independent reports and on-the-ground observations suggest this figure may vastly understate the true scale of hardship.

In 2024, the Cuban economy contracted for the second consecutive year, shrinking by 1.1% after a 1.9% decline in 2023. The average monthly salary remains below $20 at the unofficial exchange rate, exacerbating public frustration and fueling increasing poverty and homelessness.

Feito’s resignation underscores the growing disconnect between the Cuban government and its struggling population—and signals increasing public demand for empathy, transparency, and accountability.