Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a passionate advocate for a free Cuba and a prominent member of an influential political family in South Florida, has passed away following a battle with cancer at the age of 70. His family announced his death on Monday. Diaz-Balart dedicated 18 years of his life serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
According to his brother, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Lincoln was a staunch “defender of the silenced and oppressed,” and had a significant role in shaping U.S. policy towards Cuba, insisting on democratic conditions for lifting U.S. sanctions against the Cuban regime.
The family has stated that a public memorial service will be held at a future date. In a statement, Mario Diaz-Balart highlighted Lincoln’s unwavering love for the United States and his dedication to a free Cuba, which drove him throughout his career, including two decades in elected office and his lengthy tenure in Congress.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart began his political journey in Florida’s state House from 1987 to 1989, advancing to the state Senate from 1989 to 1993, before serving South Florida in Congress until 2011. His legislative contributions included cementing the U.S. embargo against Cuba into law and the passage of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act, which offered deportation protections and immigration benefits to Central American nationals.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on his passing, reflecting on the loss to the Cuban American community of a significant figure and relentless advocate for freedom. Rubio acknowledged Diaz-Balart’s years of dedication as a tribute to the American Dream and his unwavering pursuit of human rights and democracy.
The Diaz-Balart family holds strong ties to both Miami and Cuba. Their father, Rafael Diaz-Balart, was a key Cuban political figure, opposing Fidel Castro and founding the first anti-Castro group, La Rosa Blanca. The family’s connections run deep; Lincoln and Mario’s aunt was Castro’s first wife, marking the brothers as nephews to the Cuban dictator.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s efforts championing immigrants and resisting Castro’s regime were instrumental in swaying many Cuban Americans from aligning with the Democratic Party to supporting the Republican Party.
