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The transmitters of Radio Martí in the Florida Keys were shut down on Monday after the administration of Donald Trump placed all employees of the station, funded by the U.S. government to deliver information to Cuba, on administrative leave.
Sources with knowledge of the operation confirmed to Telemundo 51 that the transmission signals have been turned off and that since 11:00 a.m. on Monday, there has been no live signal from the station, which began operating on May 20, 1985, under the administration of Ronald Reagan, and became the only voice that for many years Cuban opponents and activists had against the repression of the regime.
The decision is part of an executive order signed by Trump that mandates the dismantling of seven federal agencies, including the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which is responsible for overseeing Radio y TV Martí.
According to the Administration, the agency is believed to have committed violations of national security, including the alleged infiltration of spies or supporters of terrorists.
While on the Martí Noticias website pre-recorded programs such as "Cuba al Día" and "Café Digital" are still being broadcast, live operations of Radio Martí have completely halted.
The former director of Radio y TV Martí, Herminio San Román (1997-2001), reacted to the news by stating that this measure has been welcomed by communist sectors.
The activist Omara Ruiz Urquiola described the closure as an "effective blow against the cause of a free Cuba," warning that "the Castro intelligence is celebrating."
The leader of the Cuban Democratic Directorate, Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat, stated that Radio Martí has been essential in delivering the truth to the Cuban people.
The leader of the Ladies in White, Berta Soler, also spoke out against the closure, reminding that Radio Martí has been the only voice for many victims of repression in Cuba.
"In 2003, when there was no internet in Cuba, Radio Martí was the only source of information about political prisoners and the opposition. We kept coming together from one province to another thanks to their broadcasts," Soler stated.
For his part, former prisoner of the Black Spring Ángel Moya refuted the arguments claiming that Radio Martí was not heard in Cuba, stating that the regime spent millions of dollars to interfere with the signal.
After Trump's executive order, the employees of Radio Martí were placed on paid administrative leave, while the contractors were terminated.
The document instructs the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to reduce its staff to a minimum and restructure its operations.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Closing of Radio Martí
Why were the Radio Martí transmitters shut down?
The Radio Martí transmitters were shut down as part of an executive order signed by Donald Trump that mandates the dismantling of several federal agencies, including the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which oversees Radio and TV Martí. This decision is based on allegations of national security violations and an effort to reduce federal bureaucracy.
What has been the impact of the closure of Radio Martí on the Cuban opposition?
The closure of Radio Martí has been viewed as a significant blow to the Cuban opposition. Activists and opposition leaders believe that Radio Martí has been essential for reporting human rights violations and supporting dissent in Cuba. The leader of the Ladies in White, Berta Soler, and the opposition figure José Daniel Ferrer, among others, have expressed their concern about the loss of a vital medium to counter the censorship of the Cuban regime.
What arguments has the Trump administration provided to justify the closure of Radio Martí?
The Trump administration has cited national security issues, allegations of espionage, and corruption within the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) as reasons for the closure. The restructuring aims to eliminate non-essential functions and reduce staff to the legal minimum required, in an effort to decrease federal bureaucracy and protect U.S. national security.
How have opponents and organizations reacted to the closure of Radio Martí?
Numerous opponents and organizations have expressed their rejection of the closure of Radio Martí. The Cuban American National Foundation (FNCA) and figures such as José Daniel Ferrer have urged the Trump administration to reconsider the measure. It is argued that the closure benefits the Cuban regime and represents a setback in the struggle for freedom of information on the island.
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