Elian case dominates Cuban-American radio in Miami

Residents of the Little Havana section of Miami listen to Cuban-American radio

May 11, 2000
Web posted at: 7:56 p.m. EDT (2356 GMT)

In this story: 'A guiding force' 'The portrayal of the Cuban drama' RELATED STORIES, SITES

From Miami Bureau Chief John Zarrella

MIAMI (CNN) -- Cuban-American passions over the Elian Gonzalez custody case fill the airwaves in the Little Havana section of Miami.

Cuban-American radio can always be heard at Nene's Barber Shop. And women rolling cigars in a tobacco shop listen to pass the time.

Even on the street, the radio stations can be heard giving the Cuban exile perspective on the latest development in the saga of Elian, the Cuban boy rescued at sea off the Florida coast in November.

Elian was one of three survivors of a shipwrecked immigration attempt that took the lives of his mother and 10 other people. The child lived with his great-uncle Lazaro Gonzalez in Miami until April 22, when federal agents took him from the home.

RESOURCES Who's who in the Elian Gonzalez case     MESSAGE BOARD US/Cuba relations     ALSO Federal appeals panel considering Elian's case Elian's grandparents angrily await visas to visit grandson Court of appeals to consider who speaks for Elian     Boy in the Middle: Legal background on the Elian Gonzalez case ·CASE FILE ·TIMELINE ·DOCUMENTS

He was reunited in Maryland with his Cuban father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, who wants to return Elian to Cuba after court appeals by Elian's Miami relatives run their course.

In their efforts to keep Elian in the United States, the Miami relatives have received mass public support from the Cuban exile community in Florida.

The radio voices heard daily by those hundreds of thousands of Cuban-Americans are more popular than any English-language station, AM or FM, in Miami. They are among the most influential in the city.

"Cuban radio tells you the truth about what is going on in Cuba and that means that is defending our own interests for the liberty of Cuba," one loyal listener said.

Broadcasters are well aware of their influence with their audience.

"It is a community that looks to radio as a guiding force," said Agustin Acosta, host of a talk show on WQBA. "They look to us for their political orientation and their guidance, so that puts a great deal of responsibility and pressure on our shoulders."

The radio voices have the power to move the people to action -- even getting their listeners to take to the streets in protest.

Armando Perez-Roura hosts Radio Mambi's morning show. He and co-host Augustin Tamargo debate the news of the day. For months now, Elian Gonzalez has dominated the talk. The hosts say no issue has ever so galvanized the Cuban exile community.

"In Elian, a whole nation longing for freedom," said Acosta. "In Elian, 40 years of repression, 40 years of exploitation."

"This is the most important passion, because Elian Gonzalez is the portrayal of the Cuban drama," Perez-Roura said.

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May 10, 2000
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May 4, 2000
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May 3, 2000
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May 1, 2000

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