Raúl González Exits 'Despierta América'
The Venezuelan presenter has decided not to renew his contract with the Hispanic network and will make his final appearance on the morning talk show this week. YouTube/Univision

Raúl González has opted not to renew his contract with Univision after he failed to reach an agreement to continue hosting the morning show "Despierta América." The Venezuelan presenter's last day will be on Thursday, February 27. "All of his fellow colleagues are in shock because they received the news today (February 26) and they cannot believe that it was his decision to leave," a source told HuffPost Voces. González started out as a guest co-host on the breakfast show and his vibrant personality made producers up him as a regular show host, following through for more than 10 years despite regular cast shake-ups. WATCH his farewell speech on 'Despierta América' here!

The natural assumption is that Raúl will migrate over to Telemundo's "Un Nuevo Día" where former "Despierta América" presenters have found a haven like Ana María Canseco and Neida Sandoval. "Raúl loves Univision, loves his co-hosts and he is deeply saddened, he is not happy about leaving, but this is something that is beyond him and has to do with contractual terms that they didn't settle," the source added. In previous occasions Univision's main competitor had approached the morning host but the source says that this was not the case now and he is not leaving because he had an offer from them.

Raúl González was part of the crossover ABC and Univision had in late October where both morning shows exchanged hosts to help promote the launch of the Fusion. González and Karla Martinez flew to New York City and co-hosted a segment with Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, while Lara Spencer and Sam Champion presented from Miami. González was a favorite amongst the Latino viewers with characters like Doña Meche that became a staple for everyone that tuned in to the breakfast show every morning. Are you sad Raúl González will be leaving "Despierta America?"

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