A major shake-up has hit the Cuban journalism scene: Rudens Tembrás has been ousted from his position as director of the JIT newspaper by the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) due to "abuse of power" and "mistreatment," a source confirmed to CiberCuba.
Under the condition of anonymity, the source described Tembrás' current ordeal: "It all started with a complaint from Eyleen Ríos, also a journalist and one of his subordinates. She filed the complaint with INDER's first vice president, Raúl Fornés, and also presented the case to the Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC) and its Ethics Commission."
Amid numerous whispers in the corridors of the Sports City Coliseum in Havana, INDER formed an investigative committee, and the results were disastrous for the former executive, who has a background with the official weekly Trabajadores. "They interviewed several employees, and everyone sided with Eyleen. It was overwhelming in many ways. Note that he was removed from the position and can no longer have any involvement with the publication itself," the source elaborated.
Currently, Tembrás works as a communication specialist at INDER and has appealed the decision in hopes of maintaining his spot on the press team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, a team that includes Eyleen Ríos, the head of communications for the Cuban Athletics Federation.
The same source added that no one has been appointed to the position yet, but the name of Oscar Sánchez Serra, the current deputy director of the official newspaper Granma, is being quietly mentioned. A few days ago, an audio leaked by the portal Swing Completo went viral, revealing the opinion of sports commentator Renier González about Cuban fans and players, following several violent episodes in the current National Baseball Series.
"People here seem to be afraid of the fans. What? Fans don't know a damn thing about baseball! They go after the weakest. The Series is crap! The players are worse than the umpires!" González was heard saying in the shared recording.
The team managers participating in the Series did not escape his criticism either. "They send the third batter to bunt after the first and second got on base, and no one says a damn thing! So, what the hell are we talking about? A bunch of idiots is what they are!"
González's absence from his regular programs sparked various comments, but journalist Carlos Hernández Luján said during a recent broadcast of the program "Bola Viva" that "he is simply resting at home" and asked that there be no "second interpretation."
Understanding the Removal of JIT's Director
The following questions and answers provide further insight into the reasons and implications behind the removal of Rudens Tembrás from his position as director of JIT newspaper.
Why was Rudens Tembrás removed from his position?
Rudens Tembrás was removed due to allegations of "abuse of power" and "mistreatment" reported by his subordinate, Eyleen Ríos.
Who filed the complaint against Tembrás?
The complaint was filed by Eyleen Ríos, who is also a journalist and one of Tembrás' subordinates.
What is the current role of Rudens Tembrás?
Tembrás is currently working as a communication specialist at INDER and has appealed the decision to maintain his place on the press team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Who is being considered to replace Tembrás?
Oscar Sánchez Serra, the current deputy director of Granma, is being quietly mentioned as a possible replacement for Tembrás.