Caridad Martínez, one of the most recognized directors of radio programs, died this Sunday in Havana at the age of 79, according to information published on the Cuban Radio Portal.
“Sad news. The beloved Teacher of many generations of radio broadcasters, our National Award winner, Caridad Martínez, exemplary mother and wife of the unforgettable Alberto Luberta, has passed away,” the general director of Cuban radio, Yuzaima Cardona, wrote in X.
“A light woman is leaving us, but her versatile and fruitful work remains. Condolences to his children, grandchildren, to the entire family and to Cuban Radio, which today suffers this sensitive loss,” Cardona’s publication added.
Sad news. The teacher of radio broadcasters, National Radio Award winner, Caridad Martínez, exemplary mother and wife of the unforgettable Alberto Luberta, passed away. A light woman leaves, her fruitful work remains. Condolences to the family and Cuban Radio, which suffers this sensitive loss. pic.twitter.com/1o37Esl8Bh
— Yuzaima Cardona (@YuzaimaCardona) January 26, 2025
Caridad Martínez, 2017 National Radio Award, began her very long career of more than 60 years at Radio Progreso in 1961, when she had the opportunity to work as a script copyist. From there began a period of learning in which the director Antonio “Ñico” Hernández and the head of programming Juan Ramón “Tatica” González were fundamental.
They gave him the opportunity to learn how a radio space was produced and assigned him several programs, in which he worked with figures of the stature of Carlos Felipe González Más, Julio Batista, Juanita Calderilla and Rolando Leyva, according to counted Caridad herself in an interview conducted in 2022.
With the help of these professionals, plus the entire cast of singers and musicians from the guajiro programs and other greats of the medium, he discovered the most intimate secrets of radio, a medium for which he always felt a great passion, despite the fact that his Her mother didn’t let her listen to any radio stations when she was a child.
His jump to direction occurred in 1969, when he had to replace Rolando Leyva in rural spaces. In addition, Juanita Calderilla gave him the mission of taking his place in the direction of Through our fields and citiesa program dedicated to treating the conditions that human beings suffer from.
His teachers in the field of direction, he assured, were Odilia Romero, Oscar Luís López and Marta Jiménez Oropesa, from whom he not only learned “the technique of radio direction, but also the love of the medium and total dedication to the profession.” ”.
According to Rebel YouthCaridad Martínez earned multiple recognitions during her career, including First Place in orientation programs for Franklyduring the National Radio Festival, in 1997; and the First Prize and Grand Prize for the space that best reflected the thoughts of José Martí, in 1998, in the contest itself.
In addition, in 2000, he obtained the Caracol Prize from the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (Uneac) for directing the radio soap opera. South wind; the Diploma of artistic merit from the University of the Arts (2002); the Award from the Caribean Broadcasting Union (2004) and the Youth Teacher from the Hermanos Saíz Association, in 2020.
On the other hand, he was a teacher at the Faculty of Audiovisual Media of the Higher Institute of Art for many years, where he carried out extensive training and research work. According to CMHWamong its printed texts a compilation of scripts from the stellar program stands out After-dinner Joyswritten by her inseparable husband Alberto Luberta.
“With the death of Caridad Martínez, Cuban Culture loses an exceptional human being, committed to her time, a lady who with nobility made herself felt in the whirlwind of radio creation, among the most experienced actors and those who are just starting out. radio, closely linked to radio soap operas,” they stated in CMHW.
By family decision, Caridad Martínez’s body will be cremated and she will receive honors in an intimate ceremony.