Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Cuban-American politician and advocate for democracy in Cuba, has died at age 70 after a cancer battle. He served 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and played a crucial role in U.S. policy on Cuba. His familial ties to Cuban political history shaped his dedication to immigrant rights and opposition to the Castro regime, influencing Cuban-American political alignment.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a notable figure in the Cuban-American community and a staunch advocate for a democratic Cuba, has passed away at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer, as confirmed by his family on Monday. He dedicated 18 years to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, coming from a prominent South Florida family committed to political activism.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, his brother, U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, emphasized Lincoln’s dedication to social justice, describing him as “a defender of the silenced and oppressed, author of the democracy requirement for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against the Cuban dictatorship.” The family announced that a public mass memorial would be held in the future.
Mario Diaz-Balart remarked on Lincoln’s deep affection for the United States and his steadfast pursuit of a free Cuba, which directed his life and tenure in public service spanning 24 years. His political career included roles in the Florida state House from 1987 to 1989, in the state Senate from 1989 to 1993, and as a Congressman from 1993 to 2011.
During his congressional tenure, Lincoln Diaz-Balart made significant contributions to U.S. foreign policy concerning Latin America, notably formalizing the Cuban embargo and supporting the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act, which offered immigration protections to individuals from Cuba and Central America.
The Diaz-Balart family has profound historical ties to both Miami and Cuba; their father, Rafael Diaz-Balart, was a notable Cuban politician who opposed Fidel Castro and founded the anti-Castro organization, La Rosa Blanca. Additionally, Rafael’s sister was the first wife of Castro, which made Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart nephews of the dictator.
Through his advocacy for immigrants and his opposition to Castro’s regime, Lincoln Diaz-Balart was instrumental in shifting many Cuban Americans from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, thereby influencing the political landscape significantly.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s legacy as a defender of democracy and advocate for Cuban Americans resonates deeply within the community. His political contributions and advocacy for immigration reform made lasting impacts on U.S. foreign policy. The strong familial ties to Cuban political history highlight the significance of his work for a free Cuba and his role in the shifting political affiliations of Cuban Americans.
Original Source: apnews.com
