The voice of Mario Castro, the radio and cultural journalist, went out

Bolivian journalism is in mourning after the death of Mario Castro Monterrey, a prominent journalist, broadcaster and communicator, who left a indelible mark in the history of the media in Bolivia. Castro died this Thursday at the age of 90.

Born on September 12, 1934 in La Paz, Castro dedicated more than seven decades of his life to the practice of journalism, marking an era in national radio broadcasting. He was director of the emblematic Radio Cristal, a medium that he led since 1976 for four decades.

From there, his unmistakable voice He hosted iconic programs such as the “Sunday Cultural Magazine”, where he interviewed writers, poets and artists, leaving a legacy that transcends generations.

Mario Castro He not only shined on the radio, but also left his mark in the press and television. He collaborated with media such as Presencia, Pulso and Página Siete, in addition to venturing into film scriptwriting.

In 1993, he was a pioneer in La Paz by exploring frequency modulation with Radio Cumbre, a unique project dedicated to classical music.

His passion for the microphone manifested itself from a young age. At the age of 17, he began his career at Radio Libertad and, by 1959, he was already directing Radio Altiplano.

Throughout his career, he stood out as a defender of ethics and quality in the media, being one of the promoters of the National Journalism Award, which he himself received in 2013 in recognition of his contribution to social communication.

Prominent journalists linked to culture and politics worked in the Cristal radio press room. One of them was former president Carlos Mesa, who began his career precisely under the leadership of Mario Castro.

“My emotional memory and tribute to Mario Castro, to whom I owe so much as a journalist. One of the greats of Bolivian radio broadcasting is leaving. Thank you, Mario, for your trust and your teachings,” Mesa wrote.

Journalist Mabel Franco also remembered him with affection: “His beautiful voice remains in the memory of Radio Cristal listeners. And in mine, the memory of Bellows asks about 6,400, the black and white Channel 7 program, returns,” he wrote.

The mayor of La Paz, Iván Arias, expressed: “I join the pain that overcomes the departure of the great icon of Bolivian radio. “Your memory will continue to live in the hearts of all Bolivians.”

Mario Castro dedicated the last years of his life to writing his memoirs, publishing several volumes that narrate the history of communication in Bolivia from his unique perspective. In 2013, he released Gone with the Wind, a work that compiles interviews with figures such as Eduardo Galeano, Mario Vargas Llosa and Jaime Saenz.

Beyond his professional achievements, those who knew him highlight his human warmth and his unwavering love for the radio. “The figure of Mario Castro cannot be separated from the history of social communication in Bolivia”, wrote José Luis Aguirre, director of SECRAD at UCB, who interviewed him in 2022.

With his departure, Bolivia loses a reference for ethics and commitment in the media. His legacy, however, will continue to inspire future generations of journalists.