The American television network, NBC, announced the appointment of Cuban-American journalist Tom Llamas as the new host of its evening news program, “NBC Nightly News“.
The announcement makes him the first Latino to hold that seat alone during prime viewing hours.
With this designation, Llamas marks a milestone in the history of media in the United States and reinforces the Hispanic presence in high-level television journalism.
A Solid Rise in Journalism
At 45 years old, Tom Llamas has built a distinguished career in television journalism.
The son of Cuban immigrants, he was born in Miami and graduated with a degree in journalism from Loyola University in New Orleans.
His journey in the world of news began in 2000 with NBC News, and since then he has been a familiar face on American television.
Llamas served as the host of “Top Story with Tom Llamas”, an evening news program from NBC News NOW, and was a correspondent for ABC News, where he covered key events in politics and national and international news.
His incisive style and commitment to the truth led him to notable confrontations, such as his tense exchange with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, who described him as “sleazy” after a pointed question about charitable donations.
The journalist was also one of the few American reporters who managed to interview Nicolás Maduro in Caracas in 2019, demonstrating his ability to tackle complex issues with depth and courage.
Love for their Cuban roots
Beyond his professional performance, Tom Llamas has made his Cuban-American identity a fundamental pillar of his life and career.
He grew up in a home where news was a constant topic at the family table, especially stories related to Cuba.
“My dad grew up in a province in the east of Cuba, in an area called Oriente. My mom grew up in Havana. Just after Castro’s arrival, my mom left. My dad’s family left the island a few years later. They both came to this country with nothing and forged their own path,” Llamas recounted about his parents’ story in an article published by Telemundo in 202.
The journalist recalls with emotion how his family in Miami would send aid to their relatives in Cuba, hiding envelopes of Kool-Aid in business cards so they could receive them without the government confiscating them.
“This was tough. I had everything I needed and my relatives in Cuba had nothing, literally.”, he remarked about the harsh reality of his loved ones on the island.
He has shared that one of the most striking memories of his childhood was the arrival of cousins from Cuba, who were extremely thin due to the lack of food on the island.
“I will never forget when we went to see some members of our family and the children, around 4 or 5 years old, walked up to their mother to be breastfed because there wasn’t enough milk,” he explained.
Llamas has kept their Cuban culture alive in their home, instilling it in their children.
“They love ‘pastelitos’. We celebrate Christmas Eve with roast pork, listen to a lot of Cuban music, and I teach them how to dance. As for speaking in Spanish, it’s something we’re working on, because language is the key to culture,” he states.
From a young age, Llamas understood the meaning of the Cuban exile and the importance of freedom.
“My parents were happy to be in a country where they could have the freedom of religion and freedom of expression that make the United States a unique and special place”, they expressed.
“My parents did not speak English, they had no money, and yet this country made them citizens and gave them opportunities. They were professionals who raised a family that put their children in school, and now one of their children is a news anchor,” he concluded.
A responsibility to the truth
Llamas has explained that becoming the face of “NBC Nightly News” is a “profound honor that carries great responsibility” and that it represents, more than a personal achievement, an opportunity to continue his commitment to truth and journalistic excellence.
“Tom has the winning combination of journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling, and unwavering integrity,” explained Janelle Rodríguez, executive vice president of programming for NBC News.
Llamas takes on the challenge of continuing the legacy of Lester Holt, who has been the anchor of the news program since 2015 and who will become the main host of “Dateline.”
The appointment of Tom Llamas not only marks a step forward for diversity in the media in the United States, but it also represents a source of pride for the Cuban-American community.
His story of overcoming challenges, his connection to his roots, and his commitment to journalism make him a role model for future generations of Latino communicators.