"No Beggars in Our Country"... Even Those Eating from Trash Are 'Just Acting,' Says Leader [World Photo]

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The largest island country in the Caribbean Sea

Revolution, 'Che Guevara' and... a communist country that comes to mind when thinking of cigars, jazz, and old cars

There was a time when it was once favored as a destination of freedom and romance for some travelers.

However, behind this country, various national issues continue to persist.

Until recently, it has been going through a turbulent era with the Trump administration's strengthened economic sanctions and travel bans, and internally, ongoing protests by citizens due to chronic poverty and dissatisfaction with the political sphere.

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"We have no beggars... It's all a disguise"

AFP Yonhap News

The Cuban Minister of Labor sparked controversy after stating, "There are no beggars in Cuba," and eventually resigned.

On July 15 (local time), Marta Elena Feito, Cuba's Minister of Labor, attended a parliamentary session the previous day and explained solutions to poverty issues, saying, "Those who rummage through trash bins for food are actually disguising themselves as beggars." She added, "If you look at their hands or clothes, they are only pretending to be beggars, not real beggars," insisting, "There are no beggars in Cuba."

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"There are people disguised as ministers in this country"... Cuban anger

Amid controversy over the Cuban Minister of Labor's remark that "there are no beggars," a netizen has released a photo taken in Cuba in 2016. Photo by X

When the Minister of Labor's remarks were broadcast live, Cuban citizens flooded social media with criticism and ridicule. Photos of people rummaging through trash bins and eating discarded food quickly spread online, and economist Pedro Monreal mocked on X (formerly Twitter), "There are people disguised as ministers in Cuba."

Photos of Cuban citizens rummaging through trash bins are being posted online. On the far right is Marta Elena Feito, Cuba's Minister of Labor, who made the controversial remarks. / TikTok, X capture

Photos of Cuban citizens rummaging through trash bins are being posted online. On the far right is Marta Elena Feito, the Cuban Minister of Labor who made the controversial statement. / TikTok, X capture

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Ultimately, the president steps in to resolve the issue... The minister at the center of the controversy resigns

Miguel DiazCanel, President of Cuba (left), Large crowds gathered and marched on May 1, Labor Day, in the Caribbean island nation of Cuba, which faces strengthened economic sanctions from the Trump administration. /AFP·Reuters Yonhap News

Miguel DiazCanel, President of Cuba, announced on X that Minister Feito had acknowledged her mistake and submitted her resignation. Previously, he had publicly rebuked Minister Feito and then stated in parliament, "None of us can act with arrogance and hypocrisy, disconnected from actual reality," emphasizing, "The word 'beggars' is a concrete expression of the social inequality and issues that Cuba is facing."

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Cuba right now...

Reuters Yonhap News

With a population of 11 million, Cuba has been suffering from severe economic hardship for decades. U.S. sanctions, poor domestic economic management, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 have combined to create the worst economic crisis in its history.

There is a shortage of essential goods for survival, such as food, medicine, and fuel, and ongoing instability in energy supply has led to persistent power shortages. Currently, more than one-third of the Cuban population lives in extreme poverty and relies on government support. According to AFP, the number of homeless people and beggars on the streets of Cuba has noticeably increased over the past two years.

EPA·AFP Yonhap News

AP AFP Yonhap News

In addition, since January, Cuba has faced even greater turmoil due to the reinstatement of U.S. economic sanctions following the inauguration of the Trump administration's second term. Former President Joe Biden had lifted many embargo measures against Cuba before leaving office.

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State in the Trump administration and a Cuban-American, has been leading a hardline policy against Cuba, stating, "The Cuban regime must be held accountable for oppressing its people."

A large-scale rally and march took place on May 1, Labor Day, in the Caribbean island nation of Cuba, which is facing strengthened economic sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. On that day, hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered around Revolution Square in Havana, the capital of Cuba, waving Cuban flags and chanting slogans supporting the revolution, according to Reuters and the state-run Granma. Photo by Reuters EPA Yonhap News

Cuba

Cuba, an island nation in the Caribbean, is currently the only country in the Americas that officially upholds communist ideology outside of Eurasia. Its capital is La Habana, commonly referred to as Havana.

After the communist revolution in 1959, Cuba established diplomatic relations with North Korea and withdrew from provisional diplomatic ties with South Korea. However, as the Cold War ended, relations between the two countries gradually improved, and on February 14, 2024, they officially established diplomatic relations.