Newsmax Acquires Iconic Cuban Exile Station Radio Mambí and WQBA, Plans to Revive Spanish News and Talk Shows

Newsmax has announced the acquisition of Radio Mambí (WAQI-AM 710) and WQBA-AM 1140, two Miami-based stations known for amplifying the voice of the Cuban exile community for decades. The combined purchase price was reported at $1.8 million, as detailed by industry publication Radio Ink last Monday.

The transaction, exclusively brokered by Kalil & Co., is awaiting approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other regulatory conditions, hence the sale is not yet finalized.

According to documents filed with the FCC, WAQI was valued at $1.26 million and WQBA at $540,000. Newsmax is acquiring these frequencies from Latino Media Network (LMN), which had purchased them in 2022 but ceased their talk programming last year.

This acquisition is notably different from LMN's previous deal, which saw them paying $60 million in 2022 for a package of 18 TelevisaUnivision stations, including Radio Mambí and WQBA. Newsmax is now acquiring both for less than 3% of that amount.

LMN initially promised a more diverse programming with a "Democratic and centrist" focus, yet these changes never materialized on Radio Mambí. WQBA was relaunched in August 2024 as "El Pulso de Miami," but a lack of sponsorship led to the dismissal of its entire staff by July 2025, including notable figures like Oscar Haza, Neida Sandoval, and Carlucho. The station then shifted to solely music broadcasts.

Radio Mambí ceased operations in December 2025 after four decades of continuous broadcasting, resulting in the loss of 20 jobs and replacing its talk shows with automated music and sports broadcasts featuring the Miami Heat and Miami Marlins.

Established in 1985 by Cuban-American businessman Amancio Víctor Suárez, "La Grande" was a primary platform for conservative political debate among exiles in Miami. It served as a loudspeaker against the Cuban dictatorship and was a beacon of anti-Castro sentiment in the United States.

Notable figures like Armando Pérez Roura, who served as general director from its inception until his retirement in 2015, and passed away in November 2020 at the age of 92, alongside Ninoska Pérez Castellón, who spent 26 years at the station before resigning in January 2023 following LMN's takeover, were instrumental in shaping its identity over the years.

Newsmax aims to restore Radio Mambí as a hub for news, opinion, talk shows, and community engagement in Spanish, with expanded local coverage for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties, and a national digital distribution through social media and podcasts. The company has yet to announce a specific launch date or the names of the hosts.

Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, expressed his vision for the station: "Radio Mambí is an institution. For decades, it has been the voice of a community that understands the value of freedom because it has fought to preserve it. We are honored to continue that tradition and ensure Radio Mambí remains a trusted source of news, information, and conversation for future generations."

The acquisition comes shortly after the November 3, 2026 elections, highlighting the political significance of reinstating a conservative Spanish-language voice in South Florida. Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez praised the purchase, calling Radio Mambí a "beacon of hope" for the Cuban exile community.

Newsmax has already made inroads in the Spanish-speaking market with Newsmax en Español, a television channel launched in 2025 that uses artificial intelligence for real-time Spanish dubbing. This acquisition marks their first venture into radio station ownership, pending FCC approval.