the anthems of latin america
Few things stir national pride like hearing your own country’s national anthem. It is why many radio stations play their national anthems at various times during their broadcast day.
This is especially true in Latin America where stations in many countries play their national anthems.
Typically, national anthems have been played at sign-on or sign-off times for stations, and that still does happen. However, since many stations are now broadcasting 24/7, the timing of their national anthem can be a bit different.
In Mexico, for instance, many stations will play their national anthem at midnight and 6 AM local time, which were the traditional sign-off/sign-on times for stations. Many also will play the national anthem coming out of “La Hora Nacional,” a nationwide broadcast on Sunday evenings.
In Cuba, the national anthem can often be heard at midnight local time. Though, not all stations play the national anthem.
Other countries, their timing can vary and not all countries mandate their stations play the national anthem.
bonaire
BONAire | 800-PJB
NOTES:
The national anthem of Bonaire as heard on 800-PJB/Trans World Radio. You can typically hear this around 0300-0330 UTC as they are switching their antenna pattern.
COLOMBIA
COLOMBIA (LONG VERSION) | Radio NACIONAL DE COLOMBIA-570
NOTES:
This is the national anthem of Colombia as heard on 570 kHz with Radio Nacional de Colombia on January 15, 2025 @ 1100 UTC. The anthem started at 10:59:45 UTC and runs until 11:02:00 UTC. This is the long version of the anthem. While the exact timing may vary, this local time of 6AM is a good time to look for the anthem on Radio Nacional de Colombia. They have additional outlets on the frequencies of 550, 560, 570, 580, 610, 680, and 1000.
COLOMBIA (SHORT VERSION) | RCN - San Andres-910
NOTES:
This is the national anthem of Colombia as heard on 910 kHz with RCN in San Andres (which counts as a separate country, by the way) on January 15, 2025 @ 1100 UTC. This is the short version of the anthem. The anthem started at 10:58:30 UTC and runs until 10:59:17 UTC. RCN has multiple additional outlets including 640, 770, 800, 980, 1000, 1020, 1050.
cuba
CUBA (instrumental) | Radio Progreso-640
NOTES:
The national anthem of Cuba as heard on 640-Radio Progreso in Guanabacoa. This was captured at 0500 UTC on January 8, 2025, which was midnight local time in Guanabacoa (EST). What is noteworthy about this version of the anthem is that it is the instrumental version. Most stations in Cuba play the same vocal rendition of their national anthem. However, this instrumental version has been noted multiple times specifically on outlets carrying Radio Progreso. You also get to hear the “Onda de la Alegria” song that is typically played on Radio Progreso at various times throughout the hour.
CUBA (VOCAL) | Radio REBELDE-670
NOTES:
Here we have the more standard vocal version of the Cuban national anthem, as heard on 670-Radio Rebelde (multiple outlets). In addition to the anthem, you also get to hear a chime melody that is often heard on Rebelde prior to them playing the national anthem.
mexico
MEXICO (short, adult choir version) | XEG-1050
NOTES:
Here we have the national anthem of Mexico, as heard on 1050-XEG in Monterrey, Mexico at 6am on January 11, 2025. There are a multitude of variations of the Mexican National anthem that you will hear on the MW dial: there are short and fast versions like we have here, there are longer versions, slower versions, there are versions by an adult choir, by a choir of children….even some of the indigenous stations have unique versions all their own. You can find more information about which versions of the anthem stations carry by consulting the IRCA Mexican Log at ircaonline.org.
MEXICO | STATE ANTHEM OF mexico - xetul-1080
NOTES:
It can be confusing to those outside of Mexico, but there is actually an Estado de Mexico (sometimes just shown as “Edomex” to avoid confusion). It surrounds Mexico City on three sides and is the most populous state in Mexico. Here we have the state anthem of Edomex as heard on 1080 XETUL in Tultitlán de Mariano Escobedo. This was recorded on April 3, 2024 at 0107 CDT.
MEXICO | STATE ANTHEM OF QUINTANA ROO - xecpr-660
NOTES:
This is the state anthem of Quintana Roo, Mexico as heard on 660-XECPR in Felipe Carrillo. This was captured at 0500 UTC, which in January is midnight local time in Quintana Roo. Many stations in Mexico will play not only the Mexican National anthem at times during their broadcast day (such as midnight or 6 am, local time) but will also play the anthem of their state (estado). Quintana Roo’s anthem is noteworthy for DXers because of it’s length (checking in at roughly 6 minutes long!). In this clip, the Quintana Roo anthem is followed immediately by the Mexican National anthem.