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.

“We’ve seen people who appear to be beggars,” Feitó told the commission. “When you look at their hands, at the clothes these people are wearing, they’re disguised as beggars; they’re not beggars. There are no beggars in Cuba.”

Cuban Minister for Labour Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera has been forced to resign after she made comments denying the existence of beggars on the Communist-run island. The minister had said there was no such thing as "beggars" in Cuba and people going through rubbish were doing so out of choice to make "easy money".