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The Seven Most Shocking Changes To Radio Mambí La Grande (WAQI-710 AM) That Ended An Era

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The iconic voice of Miami’s Cuban exile community, Radio Mambí La Grande (WAQI-710 AM), is no longer the station you remember. A dramatic and highly controversial sale in 2022 to the Latino Media Network (LMN) fundamentally altered the station’s identity, ending a four-decade-long run as a pillar of conservative Spanish-language talk radio. This seismic shift in the Miami media landscape has sparked a fierce debate about the future of Hispanic conservatism, the influence of political capital, and the role of traditional media in the digital age. The station’s legacy, which served as a crucial source of news and political commentary for generations of Cuban Americans, was abruptly shuttered in its historic format in late 2022, leaving a void that continues to shape South Florida’s political discourse today. The change was not merely a business transaction; it was a cultural flashpoint that signaled a new direction for Spanish-language media in the United States.

A New Era: The Dramatic Sale and the End of Conservative Talk

The story of the new Radio Mambí is inseparable from the biography of the entities that now control its airwaves. The station, a longtime fixture on the 710 AM dial, was acquired as part of a larger deal that included 18 Spanish-language radio stations across the United States.

Key Entities and Figures in the Radio Mambí Acquisition

  • Latino Media Network (LMN): The buyer of the station and its new steward. LMN is a media company founded to build a more diverse and representative platform for the Latino community.
  • Stephanie Valencia: Co-founder of LMN. She previously served in the Obama administration, bringing a background in Democratic politics to the new media venture.
  • Jess Morales Rocketto: Co-founder of LMN alongside Valencia. Rocketto is a longtime Democratic strategist and social entrepreneur.
  • George Soros: The liberal billionaire investor whose involvement in LMN's financing, through his Soros Fund Management, became the central point of controversy for critics of the sale.
  • Univision: The media giant that previously owned Radio Mambí (WAQI-710 AM) before the 2022 sale.
  • Mike Sena: The General Manager who announced the end of the live talk programming on the station.

7 Shocking Changes That Defined the End of an Era at WAQI-710 AM

The transition of Radio Mambí from a conservative powerhouse to a new, LMN-controlled entity was marked by a series of dramatic and controversial events. These changes effectively ended the station’s 40-year legacy as the voice of the Cuban exile community.

1. The Abrupt End of 40 Years of Conservative Talk Programming

The most significant change occurred on December 12, 2022, at 11:59 p.m., when the live Spanish-language conservative talk programming on WAQI-710 AM was officially dropped. This move ended four decades of a format that was a cultural touchstone for the Cuban exile community in Miami, who relied on the station for news, political commentary, and a strong anti-communist stance. The station’s former role as a reference point for Hispanic conservatism was instantly erased.

2. The Mass Exodus of Iconic Hosts

The sale and subsequent format change led to the immediate resignation or dismissal of high-profile, conservative hosts who were synonymous with the station’s identity. These figures were not willing to continue under the new ownership and its promised programming direction. Notable hosts who departed included:
  • Ninoska Pérez Castellón: A highly influential Spanish radio talk show host and political commentator who resigned in protest of the sale.
  • Nelson Rubio: A prominent former host who left the station.
  • Dania Alexandrino: Another former host who departed following the acquisition.
  • Martha Flores: Known affectionately as the “Queen of the Night,” Flores was a major figure during the station’s decades under Univision ownership.
  • Norman Díaz and Juan Amador Rodríguez: Voices from the station's early days who helped cement its legacy.
This mass departure of talent underscored the ideological chasm between the old and new ownership.

3. The Controversial Backing by George Soros

The inclusion of George Soros, a major funder of liberal and Democratic causes, as an investor in the Latino Media Network became a lightning rod for criticism. Critics, including many Republicans and conservative media figures, immediately accused LMN of attempting to "silence conservative Hispanic voices" and shift the political narrative in the crucial South Florida market. LMN founders, Stephanie Valencia and Jess Morales Rocketto, countered that the network was founded to provide diverse, non-partisan programming, but the controversy surrounding the financing was a major factor in the public backlash.

The New Vision: What Replaced the Conservative Voice?

The Latino Media Network’s acquisition was part of a broader strategy to build a national platform for Latino content creation, focusing on a more "diverse and representative" set of voices. The new programming on WAQI-710 AM, while still broadly Spanish-language, has moved away from the overtly political, conservative talk format.

The Shift to "Insightful Talk and Cultural Programming"

While the specific, branded format name for the new WAQI-710 AM programming is not always explicitly clear, LMN has stated its intention to deliver programming focused on "current events and community voices," as well as "insightful talk shows and cultural programming." The goal is to create a platform that speaks to a broader spectrum of the Latino community, moving beyond the singular, politically charged focus of the previous era. This represents a significant shift from a station that was once primarily dedicated to the political concerns of the Cuban exile community to one aiming for a wider, national appeal.

The Fate of Sister Stations

The change at Radio Mambí was not an isolated incident. The sale included 18 stations, and a sister station, WQBA, also saw its Spanish News/Talk programming pulled by the Latino Media Network. This demonstrates a comprehensive strategy by LMN to redefine the Spanish-language media landscape across multiple markets, not just in Miami.

The Lasting Impact on the Cuban Exile Community

For the Cuban exile community in Miami, the loss of Radio Mambí was more than a change in radio format—it was a cultural and political trauma. The station had been a vital link to their past, a source of information about Cuba, and a rallying point for political activism against the Castro regime and communism. The station's legacy included its powerful role in purveying election fraud claims and championing conservative causes, which made it a formidable political force in South Florida. The departure of the hosts and the end of the talk format left many listeners feeling that their voice had been taken away, leading to strong accusations that the Democratic-backed group was trying to suppress a powerful conservative narrative. The controversy highlights a fundamental tension in modern media: the balance between providing a broad, diverse platform and preserving the niche, politically-focused voices that a community relies on for its identity. Though Radio Mambí La Grande continues to broadcast on 710 AM, its core identity has been permanently altered, signaling a new chapter for Spanish-language media in the United States.
The Seven Most Shocking Changes to Radio Mambí La Grande (WAQI-710 AM) That Ended an Era
radio mambi la grande
radio mambi la grande

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