Radio Mambi to Shut Down After Controversial Acquisition
A well-known conservative Spanish-language talk radio station in Miami is set to close its doors this Friday, just three years after being acquired by a group with ties to George Soros.
Radio Mambi, which has deep connections to Miami’s Cuban exile community and has been recognized for its anti-communist programming, was purchased by a Soros-affiliated group in 2022, alongside several other Spanish-language stations. This acquisition ignited concerns among many conservatives, particularly among right-leaning Hispanics, who argued it was an attempt by the left to influence the narratives available to Spanish-speaking audiences. The station is currently finalizing a permanent contract, citing ongoing financial struggles.
“For 40 years, Radio Mambi has fostered a sense of community for those dedicated to South Florida and the aspirations of a free Cuba. We’ve often been the leaders in Spanish-language talk radio, bringing a wide range of voices—including politicians, cultural figures, and everyday citizens—onto the airwaves. Like the vibrant city we serve, Radio Mambi, its audience, and the media landscape are undergoing significant changes, presenting economic challenges across many markets,” stated Mike Sena, the General Manager of Radio Mambi.
“Sadly, as of December 12th at 11:59 p.m., we will be concluding our Live News/Talk programming and transitioning to new endeavors,” he added. “We are thankful for our listeners, advertisers, and colleagues who have made this journey possible.”
Despite the station’s closure for live broadcasts, Radio Mambi will continue playing music and archived content on Spanish-language radio “for the foreseeable future.” A minimal team, which includes one sales representative and a board operator, will remain to fulfill commitments with existing advertisers and sports broadcast partners.
Conservative host Lourdes Ubieta, who resigned before the station’s sale, expressed her firm stance against accepting funds from anyone linked to Soros. She views the abrupt halt of the talk radio format as validation of her decision. “It took less than three years to dismantle these stations,” she remarked.
Ubieta emphasized that this was part of a larger strategy: “It’s about silencing conservative voices and ultimately erasing Mambi, a historic symbol of anti-communist radio, not just in Florida, but globally.”
In 2022, the group backed by Soros established the Latino Media Network, which includes Radio Mambi, partly financed by Lakestar Finance, an investment firm associated with Soros Fund Management.
Former Obama aide Stephanie Valencia leads the organization as executive chair, with fellow board members including Al Cardenas, tied to TV personality Ana Navarro, actress Eva Longoria, and Jess Morales Lockett, who has a history with high-profile Democratic campaigns.
“They’ve effectively buried this station and now they’re closing it down for good,” Ubieta lamented.
Having continuously broadcast since its inception in 1985, Radio Mambi has served its audience for 40 years without interruption. When approached for comment regarding whether political factors influenced the shutdown, a representative from the Latin American Media Network cited “rapidly evolving media and demographics” as the reason.
Jorge Bonilla, an analyst with Newsbusters and a rival talk show host on Radio Libre, had long predicted this outcome for the historic station. “The demise of Radio Mambi was inevitable once this key player in anti-communism fell into the hands of the Soros-connected Latino media network. It’s disheartening to be correct in this regard,” Bonilla said.
“But the struggle continues. Even with the loss of Mambi, the left has permanently lost its grip on Spanish-language news and information dissemination in the U.S.”
