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The recent closure of Radio y Televisión Martí, ordered by the administration of President Donald Trump, has sparked various reactions both in the United States and in Cuba.
On the island, figures from the government have expressed their satisfaction with the closure of these stations, which have been regarded for years as tools of propaganda against the Cuban government.
Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and former Cuban intelligence agent, commented on this in his , sharing a lighthearted message that referenced the closure of radio stations and mentioned U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, known for his critical stance towards the Cuban regime and his support for Radio y TV Martí.
"Ahhh... Now I understand the 'Tick tock, tick tock...' that some haters wrote in the comments... It was because with Marco Rubio, Radio and TV Mentí had their days numbered!" said Hernández Nordelo in a mocking tone.
The decision to close Radio y TV Martí is part of a series of measures adopted by the Trump administration to reduce expenses and restructure federal agencies. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, included the cancellation of the lease for the Jorge Mas Canosa building, which houses these stations in Miami, as part of its recommendations to optimize resources, aiming for savings of 5.32 million dollars.
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Radio y TV Martí, has faced accusations of espionage, infiltration by terrorists, and corruption, leading to a drastic restructuring of its operations. Kari Lake, chief advisor to the USAGM appointed by Trump, reported massive violations of national security within the agency, which has contributed to the paralysis of the broadcaster's operations and left its future uncertain.
Meanwhile, in the United States, politicians and organizations have expressed their concern over the closure of Radio y TV Martí. The Cuban American National Foundation (FNCA) urged President Trump to restore the necessary funding for these platforms to continue operating, highlighting their role in disseminating uncensored information to the Cuban people.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar also expressed her opposition to the closure, emphasizing that Radio Martí has been essential in countering the propaganda of the Cuban regime. Additionally, opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer labeled the station as vital in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Cuba, urging the U.S. administration to reconsider the decision.
The shutdown of the transmitters of Radio Martí in the Florida Keys marked the definitive end of its broadcasts. This event represents the conclusion of an era in which, for almost four decades, these stations provided Cubans with an alternative source of information, breaking the media monopoly of the island's government.
Paradigmatically, Trump's decision has been celebrated in Havana as if they had won the lottery. After years of denouncing the "manipulation" of independent Cuban media, the regime is now jumping for joy with their sudden disappearance, hoping the same magic will extend to the "blockade."
Hernández Nordelo is on a winning streak
Recently, Hernández Nordelo has been at the center of several controversies that have sparked significant reactions within Cuban civil society.
During a recent broadcast of the official podcast 'Desde la Presidencia' – which could not be viewed due to the general blackout – Hernández Nordelo stated that "the story that Cubans leave Cuba in search of freedom is something even Marco Rubio doesn’t believe".
Her statements attempted to downplay the painful political reasons and the quest for freedom that drive many Cubans to emigrate, which caused outrage among citizens who have lived through the country's crisis and chosen to leave the island.
Following his comments on emigration, numerous Cubans expressed their discontent on social media, recalling the difficulties and risks they face when leaving the country.
The responses reflected the pain of separated families and the human losses during dangerous journeys,
Precisely during the general blackout, Hernández Nordelo shared a video in which he was playing with his family to cope with the lack of electricity.
The initiative was perceived by many as an attempt to "romanticize" the energy crisis, presenting it from a more pleasant perspective, which generated criticism for trivializing the difficulties faced by the population.
These recent actions and statements have placed Hernández Nordelo at the center of public debate, highlighting the perceived disconnect between certain leaders and the daily realities of Cuban citizens.
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