The Cuban journalist and sports commentator Iván López has passed away in Havana on the night of this Tuesday, December 30, as confirmed by close sources and social media posts quoting his wife.
Various messages from colleagues and sports pages expressed their sorrow over the news and highlighted his career in print media and Cuban television.
The journalist Arnelio Álvarez reported that the death occurred around 9:00 p.m. and that the confirmation came from López's wife. The page Swing Completo also reported that it received confirmation from Cuba about his passing that same night in Havana.
Iván López worked for years as a sports journalist at the newspaper Juventud Rebelde and later joined the sports editorial team at Tele Rebelde, where he was widely recognized for his coverage and commentary during broadcasts of the National Baseball Series.
In particular, several messages recalled him for his section "Pez Rubia" in Juventud Rebelde and for his style in on-the-ground interviews, including his frequent references to the weather during matches.
In a personal farewell, Arnelio Álvarez recounted that in March he met with him in El Vedado, they chatted briefly, and an interview was left pending, while other messages lamented that the journalist passed away almost forgotten, despite having dedicated his life to Cuban sports.
Iván López Rodríguez was born in Camagüey in 1943 and showed a sporting inclination from a young age, participating in baseball and later, as a university student, practicing long-distance athletics, competing in events such as the 3,000 meters steeplechase, 5,000, and 10,000 meters.
He has a long and fruitful career in Juventud Rebelde and on television. He was awarded the National Sports Journalism Prize for Lifetime Achievement 2019.
Social media posts expressed condolences to his family and friends, highlighting that his voice, passion, and legacy will remain among those who have followed Cuban sports through the press and television broadcasts.
In 2020, it was revealed that he was selling pork cracklings part-time, as a supplement to his meager monthly pension.
Journalist Julita Osendi, in an interview with him, confirmed that he made chicharrones on request for friends and neighbors on certain occasions.
"I would be embarrassed if I harassed tourists, if I begged on the street, if I borrowed money, but… I don’t do any of that! And I have to support Carmita and myself on a meager retirement salary that doesn’t even reach 400 pesos. After so many, so many years of work, 52 in total, to earn 385 pesos, with the recently established increase. 385 pesos!" the reporter expressed.
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