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The layoffs at Radio y TV Martí started this Sunday, following the administration of Donald Trump initiating a massive cut in operations of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the entity that oversees several media outlets funded by the U.S. government.
According to journalist Roberto Céspedes, who worked for USAGM, all contractors of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio y TV Martí) received an email on Sunday notifying them that they must cease their work immediately.
The announcement made by Céspedes reveals that those workers will also not be allowed access to the agency's facilities or systems.
The termination will take effect on March 31 at 11:59 PM, he indicated. "The Trump Administration thus begins the effective dismantling of the news service to Cuba founded 40 years ago by Ronald Reagan, and as its digital platforms are achieving record audience numbers in Cuba," said Céspedes, who described the situation as "shameful."
The journalist Wilfredo Cancio Isla, who served as news director of Radio-TV Martí from 2017 to 2018, also responded on his social media to the recent announcements: "For the first time since its inauguration on May 20, 1985, this Monday Radio Martí will not have live broadcast during regular times. Any possible survival will be a precarious endeavor under the current circumstances. A bleak outlook that is doubly sad for everything it signifies for journalism and information dedicated to Cuba."
The dismantling of the agency became known this Friday, when the President of the United States signed an executive order to eliminate functions of the Global Media Agency, which oversees the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, the agency of Radio and TV Martí.
Trump's order demanded that USAGM and other entities "reduce the performance of their non-essential functions and the personnel associated with the minimal presence and function required by law."
In compliance with this directive, USAGM began to eliminate non-essential components and functions, reducing its staff to the minimum required by law, and as a result, a large number of workers were placed on administrative leave until further notice.
The operations of Radio y TV Martí, as well as other media outlets like Voice of America, have been suspended since this Saturday following the announcement of the measure.
Kari Lake, principal advisor of the USAGM appointed by Trump, emphasized that the agency was plagued by resource waste, fraud, and abuse, calling it "irreparable" and asserting that the restructuring is a victory for American taxpayers.
In an official statement, Lake revealed that the agency is facing serious national security issues, which has led to a drastic reduction in its operations in compliance with Trump's Executive Order on reducing federal bureaucracy.
"Massive violations of national security, including spies and sympathizers and/or supporters of terrorists infiltrating the agency," Lake declared in his statement.
The Trump advisor stated that the USAGM has not only been targeted by leaks of sensitive information, but it also has allowed the infiltration of spies and individuals linked to terrorism within its structure.
According to their statements, these individuals have operated under the protection of the agency, which poses a serious threat to the national security of the U.S.
Among other irregularities, the misuse of public funds was highlighted, with dubious contracts and agreements worth millions, as well as exorbitant expenses, such as a lease of nearly 250,000,000 dollars for a building without transmission facilities, benefiting a real estate broker with 9,000,000 dollars.
A little over a week ago, the advisory team of the government led by the billionaire Elon Musk, known as DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), caused a major controversy by including the lease agreement for the headquarters of Radio and TV Martí in Miami among the agreements that were supposedly "rescinded."
The cancellation of the lease contract for the Jorge Mas Canosa building, home to Radio y TV Martí, would result in savings of $5.32 million, the DOGE portal specified at that time.
For her part, Karoline Leavitt, assistant to the president and press secretary at the White House, emphasized on the social media platform X the government's decision, stating that President Trump has ordered the dismantling of government-funded media that spreads "propaganda."
Frequently Asked Questions about the layoffs at Radio and TV Martí and the dismantling of the USAGM
Why are layoffs occurring at Radio and TV Martí?
The layoffs at Radio and TV Martí are a result of a massive operational cut by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), implemented by the Donald Trump administration. The executive order signed by Trump aims to reduce the agency's non-essential functions, which has led to the immediate suspension of contractors' work at Radio and TV Martí.
What are the reasons behind the dismantling of the USAGM?
The dismantling of the USAGM is due to allegations of resource waste, fraud, and abuse within the agency. The Trump administration, along with Kari Lake, the USAGM's senior advisor, has pointed to the infiltration of spies and sympathizers of terrorists as a serious national security issue, which has prompted the restructuring of the agency to reduce its size and scope.
What impact does Trump's measure have on media outlets such as Radio and TV Martí?
The measure has halted the operations of Radio and TV Martí and other media supervised by USAGM. The restructuring involves an adjustment to the minimum statutory functions required by law, which has left many employees on administrative leave and without access to the agency's facilities.
What is the future of Radio and TV Martí after these layoffs?
The future of Radio and TV Martí is uncertain, as their operations have been suspended and their staff has been placed on administrative leave. The cancellation of the lease contract for their headquarters in Miami also adds uncertainty regarding the continuity of their broadcasts to Cuba.
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