Cars returned Wednesday morning to the parking lot of Radio and TV Martí’s headquarters in Doral, FL, marking the first activity since President Donald Trump’s executive order effectively halted operations at the government-funded stations. Signed over a week earlier, the order placed all staff on paid temporary leave, barring them from the premises while requiring them to be ready to return within 24 hours’ notice. It remains unclear who was present at the site on Wednesday.
Established under the Reagan administration to foster democracy abroad, Radio and TV Martí broadcast Spanish-language news directly into Cuba, aiming to combat disinformation and deliver unbiased journalism. Trump’s directive aligns with a broader initiative to dismantle the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which oversees Martí, alongside six other entities under the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
The decision has sparked backlash, notably from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who labeled it a “gift to the Cuban regime” and accused Trump of weakening efforts against communism and autocracy. In contrast, Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) framed it as a temporary assessment during a “This Week in South Florida” interview with Local 10’s Glenna Milberg, suggesting agency heads would evaluate and recommend next steps.
The future of Martí’s broadcasts remains uncertain.
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