Cuban Broadcaster Rolando Zaldívar Arrested in Miami

Cuban broadcaster Rolando Zaldívar, once a familiar voice on Cuban radio and television, has been taken into custody in Miami on charges of minor theft and cocaine possession.

This development was disclosed this week by influencer Alexander Otaola during his show "Hola! Ota-Ola," aired by Cubanos por el Mundo.

According to the police report, Zaldívar's bail was set at $150.

The appearance of Zaldívar, visibly aged and nearly unrecognizable, sparked an outpouring of reactions on social media. Numerous Cubans shared memories, expressed sadness, and voiced criticism upon seeing the former charismatic host in such a visibly deteriorated state.

Reflections and Reactions

Otaola commented on Zaldívar's current situation, stating, “The last we heard, Zaldívar was entering a tent under a bridge in Downtown. When he emerged, he looked like this... The drastic changes addiction can bring are truly disheartening.”

Javier Díaz, a Cuban journalist with Univision, conveyed his personal sorrow. “It’s heartbreaking to see this wordsmith in such a condition. When I began my broadcasting career, he was one of the figures in Cuba I looked up to, and later, we worked at the same station,” he shared on Facebook.

A Troubled Past

This is not Zaldívar's first encounter with the law in the United States. In February 2019, he faced charges of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. At that time, he turned to GoFundMe for assistance with legal fees, claiming he was falsely accused: “A routine argument ended in a malicious act. When I asked to be left alone, not wanting trouble in this country that shelters us, the other person, driven by anger and fluent English, called the police to accuse me of an assault I didn’t commit.”

The Voice of Disco Fiesta 98

Zaldívar was widely recognized as a prominent voice of "Disco Fiesta 98" on Radio Ciudad de La Habana, a flagship program of the 90s. Many remember him on the stages of Havana, always impeccably dressed in a suit and tie. Some mention that his career advanced by emulating a predecessor's style, yet it did not diminish his professional merits.

After leaving Cuba, Zaldívar spent time in Mexico and later in Houston, Texas, ultimately settling in Miami in 2014.

Public Sentiment Divided

The current image of Zaldívar has stirred a wave of reactions online. Some recall him fondly as a unique voice and master communicator, while others describe him as “unrecognizable” and consumed by vices. Messages of moral frustration abound: “Another victim of the artist’s graveyard. They believe they'll remain famous like in Cuba, but in Miami, they are nobodies, and depression leads to addictions.”

Others directly blame him: “It’s sad, but no one forced him down that path. Poor decisions have consequences.”

Accusations of family neglect are also present. Several voices claim his elderly, ill mother lives in San José de las Lajas, reliant on neighbors for care.

Despite the criticisms, calls for compassion and assistance have emerged. Suggestions for rehabilitation programs and contact with initiatives like Conducta, which has highlighted other public figures' struggles, have also been proposed.