In a surprising turn of events, Miami's renowned radio station WQBA-1140 AM, affectionately known as "La Cubanísima," has terminated all of its staff. This unexpected decision marks the end of an era for a station that has been a cornerstone for the Cuban and Latino communities in South Florida for over fifty years. The announcement was shared by journalist Wilfredo Cancio on Café Fuerte, highlighting that employees were informed of their dismissal shortly after midday on Tuesday.
From Wednesday onwards, WQBA will continue to broadcast only music, with no live shows or news coverage. "Miami will at least have more sounds, more music, and less reason, as these times tend to be," Cancio remarked, capturing the sense of loss felt throughout the city.
The Short-Lived "New Era"
The closure is even more bewildering given that just a year ago, on August 12, 2024, WQBA was relaunched with a fresh editorial approach. Under the management of Latino Media Network (LMN), the station adopted the slogan "The Pulse of Miami" and brought in prominent media figures to focus on local Hispanic community interests. However, the anticipated "exciting moment" quickly unraveled.
WQBA struggled to secure enough sponsorship, leading to significant financial losses and ultimately its shutdown. Sources close to LMN have confirmed that, for now, the restructuring only affects WQBA, though changes are also expected at Radio Mambí, another station under their ownership and a historical bastion of Spanish-language conservatism in the United States.
Among those affected by the layoffs are notable voices such as Oscar Haza, Neida Sandoval, José Alfonso Almora, José Pérez Córdoba (Carlucho); along with Pedro Sevcec and Julio César Camacho, who had already been dismissed in June.
A Legacy Cut Short
Founded in 1967, WQBA was not just a media outlet; it was a cultural and emotional institution. Its most famous jingle, featuring Celia Cruz's voice declaring "Yo soy de Cuba la voz," established a shared identity among generations of Cuban exiles.
During the 70s and 80s, the station reached high levels of listenership, even within Cuba, serving as a constant source of information, political analysis, and connection to cultural roots. The call letters -QBA- were intended as a symbolic representation of "CUBA," and the station's presence was inseparable from everyday conversations in many South Florida homes.
A Tumultuous Year for Miami Media
The closure of WQBA is part of a broader trend of setbacks in Miami's Hispanic media landscape throughout 2025. In May, America TeVé–Canal 41 ceased operations following a court order stemming from a prolonged shareholder dispute. Employees were evicted from their Hialeah Gardens facilities and dismissed without warning. Since then, the station has been airing reruns with minimal technical staff, awaiting a final legal resolution.
Additionally, in March, Radio and Televisión Martí faced a complete shutdown for several days, an unprecedented event in its 40-year history. The halt occurred amidst administrative turmoil and mass layoffs after an executive order linked to the dismantling of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). However, days later, employees were reinstated, and access restrictions were lifted. Although the resumption of broadcasts was not immediately confirmed, the station did not remain off the air permanently.
These incidents highlight an alarming trend of cuts, legal battles, and disinvestment in traditional media that have served as informational pillars for the Cuban and Latino communities in South Florida for decades.
A Grim Outlook
The wave of closures, layoffs, and restructurings paints a bleak picture for Spanish-language journalism in Miami, precisely when the communities it serves need it most. In WQBA's case, it's not just a frequency going silent; it's an identity, a generational symbol, and a conduit that has long kept alive the cultural and political ties of the Cuban exile community.
The fate of "La Cubanísima" raises an urgent question: What media outlets remain to tell the stories of Latinos in Miami with depth, context, and authenticity? As historic stations dissolve into musical silence or canned repetitions, the future of Hispanic press in the exile capital looks more uncertain than ever.
FAQs About Miami's Radio Station Closures
Why did WQBA-1140 AM shut down its operations?
WQBA-1140 AM closed due to significant financial losses and an inability to secure sufficient sponsorship, which led to its dismantling.
What changes are expected at Radio Mambí?
Although restructuring currently affects only WQBA, changes are also anticipated at Radio Mambí, another station owned by Latino Media Network.
How has the closure of WQBA affected the community?
The closure has left a significant void in the Cuban and Latino communities in South Florida, as WQBA was a cultural and informational pillar for over fifty years.