Reagan-Era broadcaster known as Radio Martí faces closure amid Federal downsizing
In a sweeping move to cut federal spending, President Donald Trump has ordered the dismantling of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), the agency overseeing Radio and Televisión Martí. The decision effectively halts the operations of the decades-old broadcaster, which has long served as a U.S. government effort to counter Cuban state-controlled media.
A blow to U.S. Government Media in Latin America
The executive order, signed late Friday, directs the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and six other federal agencies to reduce their functions to the “minimum presence and function required by law.” As a result, all full-time employees and select contractors at Martí’s Miami-Dade studios were placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits.
An email that instructed affected employees not to enter USAGM premises and to surrender their government-issued identification, press passes, and work equipment was sent out.
Impact of Radio Martí closure beyond Miami
The order extends beyond the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, affecting other U.S. government-backed international media outlets such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. Reports indicate that all VOA full-time staffers, including those in its Haitian Creole service, have also been placed on leave, while contracts with private nonprofit broadcasters were abruptly terminated.
The Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which once had an annual budget exceeding $20 million, was operating with $12 million before this order. While the station’s television programming has faced significant obstacles, including frequent signal jamming by Cuban authorities, Radio Martí successfully penetrated Cuba’s tightly controlled media environment for years, providing an alternative news source before the widespread availability of mobile internet.
A win for Havana, a loss for Cuban exiles
The closure of Radio and TV Martí is widely seen as a victory for the Cuban government, which has long sought its dismantling. Since its establishment in 1983 under President Ronald Reagan, the broadcaster has been a frequent target of Cuban diplomats in negotiations with the U.S.
Despite facing years of criticism over budget inefficiencies and journalistic standards, the Martí stations have historically received strong backing from Cuban-American lawmakers in South Florida. The shutdown marks a significant shift in U.S. policy, raising questions about the future of U.S.-sponsored media efforts aimed at countering authoritarian regimes.
The director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Silvia Rosabal, has not yet issued a statement regarding the closure.
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