Rafael Pineda, a Cuban–American television journalist and news reporter, died on January 25, 2026.
Born Julio Rafael Pineda in Baracoa, Cuba, on December 20, 1937, he immigrated to the United States before his 20th birthday. He began his career at WXTV in 1968 and spent four decades with the Spanish-language station, the Univision affiliate in New York City.
Pineda served as the station’s lead news anchor until 1988, when he became host of Punto y Aparte, the first Spanish-language local interview program in the tri-state area, which ended in 1989. On October 29, 1983, he co-hosted the OTI Festival 1983 with Ana Carlota.
Julio Rafael Pineda (December 20, 1937 – January 25, 2026) was a Cuban-American television news reporter who spent four decades as anchor for the Spanish language station WXTV, the Univision affiliate in New York City.