Cuba’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Marta Elena Feito Cabrera, has stepped down following a backlash over controversial remarks denying the existence of beggars in the country.

The Cuban presidency, in a statement shared on social media Wednesday, announced that Feito had “acknowledged her mistakes and offered her resignation” due to what it described as a “lack of objectivity and sensitivity” in addressing key social issues central to government policy.

Her resignation followed public outrage triggered by comments she made during a National Assembly committee session the day before.

During the meeting, Feito dismissed the presence of homelessness in Cuba, claiming those seen begging were simply pretending. “We’ve encountered people who appear to be beggars, but if you look closely at their hands and clothes, you’ll see they’re disguised. These are not genuine beggars,” she said.

She went on to argue that individuals who wash car windows at intersections enjoy an “easy life” and spend their earnings on alcohol. Feito also criticized people who scavenge through waste, accusing them of collecting materials to resell and evade taxes.

Her remarks quickly ignited a storm online, with many calling for her dismissal, citing insensitivity in a country grappling with deepening economic hardship.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel weighed in on the controversy through a post on X (formerly Twitter), indirectly criticizing Feito’s comments. Without naming her directly, he referred to the National Assembly session and wrote: “A lack of compassion when discussing vulnerability is deeply troubling. The Revolution’s core principle is to leave no one behind that is our duty and commitment.”