Raul Martinez
Host and Director
Conexión con Miami
Martinez played a pivotal role in Hialeah's growth and the integration of thousands of Cuban refugees into South Florida society, serving as a liaison with county, state, and federal governments during the Mariel boatlift. He chaired the South Florida Employment and Training Consortium, was founding vice-chairman of the Beacon Council for Miami-Dade economic development, and influenced regional leadership through presidencies of the Dade County and Florida Leagues of Cities.
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Born in Santiago de Cuba in 1949, Raul L. Martinez immigrated to Miami as a political refugee and became the second Cuban-American elected to the Hialeah City Council in 1977 before serving as Mayor from 1981 to 2005. He founded, published, and edited the El Sol de Hialeah newspaper from 1961 to 1981, aiding the cultural assimilation of Cuban refugees during events like the 1980 Mariel boatlift. As mayor of Florida's sixth-largest city with one of the largest Spanish-speaking populations, he managed 2,000 employees and all aspects of city government. Martinez served as President of the Florida League of Cities in 1987-1988 and held roles on state commissions. Currently, he hosts 'Sin Mordaza con Raul Martinez' on YouTube and Facebook weekdays and leads R & A Group LLC as President.