The renowned Cuban journalist Rafael Solano Morales (Cabaiguán, 1954), awarded the King of Spain Prize, passed away on Tuesday in Madrid at the age of 70 due to respiratory and cardiac complications resulting from the coronavirus.
The news was confirmed by family sources to the Cuban newspaper El Vigía, which explained that Solano contracted COVID-19 in 2020 and was hospitalized for several months at the Hospital de Alcorcón, south of Madrid. Although he managed to overcome the illness, his health remained significantly compromised.
Subsequently, his retirement from Radio Exterior de España was expedited, where he had worked since 1996 after seeking exile in the Spanish capital.
Solano Morales worked for 20 years as a government journalist in Cuba, but together with Raúl Rivero and other colleagues, he joined the movement advocating for a free press on the island, until he was forced into exile in Madrid.
Throughout his career, he received several accolades, including the Spain Broadcasting Award in 1986 for his report "Llegaron de Canarias," the King of Spain Award (EFE) in 1988 for "El encuentro de los dioses," and the Tiflo Award 2000 from the ONCE Foundation for "Concierto de Aranjuez."
These articles addressed topics such as the lives of Canary Island emigrants, religious syncretism in Cuba, and a tribute to the Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo.
When in 1988 King Juan Carlos of Spain presented him with the award that crowned his career, he said: "Good perfumes come in small bottles."
In Spain, he was highly admired as a "man who carries with pride the virtuosity of having been a glory and figure in his homeland and for thriving in foreign lands."
According to the newspaper, he planned to return permanently to Cuba and had even purchased a plot of land in San Miguel del Padrón with the intention of growing fruits and vegetables; however, he was unable to return due to the pandemic.
His unique style of radio broadcasting made him an essential figure for many, and his program "Estampas cubanas" on Radio Taíno was one of the most anticipated shows for listeners who appreciated Cuban history and culture.
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