Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, Cuba’s minister of labor and social security. Photo: X/@Gg_2014Sandra.
After reviewing the resignation request of Cuba’s minister of labor and social security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Council of State approved her release from her duties this Tuesday, July 15.
The day before, on Monday, July 14, Feitó Cabrera made remarks regarding people in vulnerable situations and dismissed instances of homelessness in the country. Referring to individuals who clean windshields on the streets, she stated: “No, that’s not a homeless person. That’s someone who has found an easy way to make a living at a traffic light, cleaning windshields, and possibly then uses that money to buy alcoholic drinks on the corner.”
In response, top political and government authorities voiced criticism via digital platforms. “The lack of sensitivity in the approach to vulnerability is highly questionable,” said Miguel DĂaz-Canel BermĂşdez, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and president of the Republic. “The Revolution cannot leave anyone behind. That is our motto, our militant responsibility.”
FeitĂł Cabrera’s statements were made during her recent appearances before two parliamentary commissions—the Commission for Attention to Local Organs of People’s Power and the Commission for Attention to Youth, Children and Women’s Rights—which took place Monday ahead of the fifth regular session of the National Assembly.
“As a result of the analysis conducted by the Party and government leadership with Marta Elena FeitĂł Cabrera,” the official statement read, “regarding her remarks at the joint meeting of two Permanent Working Commissions of the National Assembly of People’s Power, the comrade acknowledged her mistakes and submitted her resignation.”
“This request was submitted to the Political Bureau and the Council of State,” added the statement, which was broadcast during the prime-time airing of the Cuban National Television News, “which agreed to her removal, based on the lack of objectivity and sensitivity with which she addressed issues that are currently central to the political and governmental agenda: one focused on addressing real and never-desired phenomena in our society.”
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz also emphasized the need for great sensitivity in addressing the complexities of vulnerability and in seeking—with everyone’s participation—effective solutions to ensure no one is left behind. He described care for individuals, families, and communities in vulnerable situations as a priority of the Revolution, highlighting humanism and social justice.
