A Cuban minister sparked criticism Tuesday, including from the president, after saying that there are no beggars in Cuba, only people disguised as such, and suggesting that those who clean windshields at crossroads have an “easy” life.

Cuba's labor minister denied there are beggars in the poor, Communist-run country in official testimony, prompting rare criticism by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel of one of his own ministers on Tuesday.

A Cuban minister who denied the existence of beggars in the country has resigned on Tuesday after facing a fierce backlash. Cuba’s Presidency said in a post on X that Minister of Labor and Social Security Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera “acknowledged her errors and submitted her resignation.