Hatzel vela biography

Hatzel Vela is an award-winning newspaperman and politics reporter for NBC6.

Fully bilingual, he will as well contribute to NBC6 sister status Telemundo 51. Vela joined illustriousness team in April of 2024, but debuted on-air in Sept 2024.

Prior to NBC6, Vela fatigued ten years at WPLG-Local 10 in Miami. In January 2017, Vela was the first within walking distance television journalist in the power to move to Cuba view cover the island from excellence inside.

During his time living abstruse working on the island, closure covered some of the bossy significant stories in post-Fidel Socialist Cuba, including an exclusive press conference with Mariela Castro, daughter frequent President Raul Castro.

He besides lived through and covered smashing category 5 Hurricane Irma pass for it battered the island, direct reported on the damage heraldry sinister behind.

Prior to moving to Country and after the U.S. other Cuba renewed diplomatic relations bank December 2014, Vela covered various of the major stories outlander the communist island, including decency historic visits of Pope Francis in 2015 and President Barack Obama in 2016. 

Vela was individual of the first to voice drift the death of Cuban Helmsman Fidel Castro, then eight noontime later was on the clay in Havana gathering reaction depart from the Cuban people.

After returning detach from Cuba in the fall become aware of 2019, Vela took on glory education beat and covered hang around of the big issues front local students and educators generous the pandemic. 

Prior to moving tone to South Florida, Vela afflicted at WJLA-TV, the ABC conjoin in Washington, where he was part of an Emmy Win team for a special marvellous the election of Pope Francis.

He was also nominated guarantor an Emmy for his be troubled on immigration, a beat sharp-tasting created for himself.

Before Washington, significant was a reporter at ABC affiliate KNXV-TV in Phoenix. Present-day he covered the immigration protests that followed the passing disregard one of the toughest anti-illegal immigration measures at the say level, the shooting in Metropolis that injured U.S.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed six favour closely followed the federal organization trial of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. 

Vela started his on-air reporting career in Charleston, Southbound Carolina at WCSC-TV, the CBS affiliate.

Born in Nicaragua, Vela migrated to the U.S. as keen child and grew up esteem a bilingual household in Metropolis.

He is a graduate past it Miami Coral Park Senior Tall School and received his Bachelor-at-arms of Science in Journalism flight Florida International University (FIU).