The Cuban-American congressman Mario Díaz-Balart reacted to the decision by the Donald Trump administration to close Radio y TV Martí, affirming that he continues to support these media outlets and is working to find a solution that allows for the transmission of information to Cuba.
"In the case of Radio y TV Martí, it is something that I have always supported and continue to support," declared Díaz-Balart on Tuesday in an exclusive interview with Telemundo 51. The congressman explained that Trump's decision is part of an effort to reduce public spending and eliminate unnecessary expenses, but he assured that this does not mean the end of communication with the Cuban people.
"What President Trump is doing, which is what he promised the American people, is trying to avoid unnecessary spending by the federal government, because we all know that the United States is on the brink of bankruptcy," said Díaz-Balart, who added that he is in frequent contact with the administration to address this and other decisions that affect the Cuban community.
The congressman reaffirmed that he is working to find alternatives that allow for the continued dissemination of information to the island: "I am working with the administration to explore ways to reverse this or, at the very least, ensure that communication with the Cuban people remains a priority".
Díaz-Balart also emphasized that, while he supports the restructuring of federal spending, there are certain initiatives he considers essential and must be maintained, including independent information that reaches Cuba. "I am not worried because I know that among the things President Trump considers a priority is the cause of Cuba's freedom, and that the people can communicate and receive information is something essential at this time," he stated.
The closure of Radio y TV Martí is part of a series of measures taken by the Trump administration to dismantle the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees several government-funded radio and television stations.
The decision has generated strong criticism from activists and organizations advocating for press freedom, who fear that the Cuban people will lose one of the few independent sources of information available on the island.
In August 2022, Díaz-Balart also criticized the Joe Biden administration for its inaction regarding the Cuban situation and its apparent lack of support for the broadcasts of Radio Martí. "What has President Biden's reaction been: nothing, no action to show solidarity and support for that brave Cuban people," he stated at the time in a direct address.
It is striking to see the contrast between his harsh criticism of Biden and his conciliatory tone towards Trump regarding the funding cuts for Radio Martí. While he described the actions of the Democratic administration as a betrayal of the Cuban people, he justified the measure with Trump as part of an effort to streamline public spending.
Organizations such as the Cuban American National Foundation (FNCA) have expressed their "deep dismay" at the closure of these media outlets, urging the Trump administration to restore the necessary funding for their operation. Opposition leaders like José Daniel Ferrer have also called for the continuity of these broadcasts, arguing that their disappearance benefits only the Cuban regime.
The future of Radio y TV Martí remains uncertain amidst attempts for budget cuts and pressure from various sectors to maintain the transmission of independent information to the island. Díaz-Balart, however, holds hope that a viable solution can be reached: "This is not the end of the world; essential things will continue to be funded and paid for."
Díaz-Balart and Republican senators warned in 2019 about cuts to Radio and TV Martí
The concern for the future of Radio y TV Martí is not new. In 2019, Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with Díaz-Balart himself, sent a letter to the acting director of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Grant Turner, warning about possible budget cuts and structural changes in the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), responsible for operating these stations.
In the letter, the congress members expressed their concern over the possibility of the OCB's budget being drastically reduced from 29 million to 12.9 million dollars, which would have implied (and in fact did imply) mass layoffs and a serious impact on the operations of Radio y TV Martí. The possibility of relocating the OCB's headquarters outside of Miami was also mentioned, which generated significant controversy within the Cuban-American community.
At that moment, Republican lawmakers urged the Trump administration to secure the necessary funding to maintain broadcasts to Cuba, arguing that these media were essential to breaking the information control of the Cuban regime.
The letter emphasized the key role that Radio Martí has played since its founding in 1985, under the administration of Ronald Reagan, in providing uncensored information to the island.
The defense of these media outlets in 2019 contrasts with Díaz-Balart's more moderate stance regarding Trump's decision to close Radio y TV Martí in 2025, highlighting the influence of political factors in the debate over funding for the station.
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