Lincoln Díaz-Balart, Former Congressman and Prominent South Florida Politician, Dies

March 4, 2025

Cuban-American former congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart passed away on Monday, March 3rd at age 70, according to an announcement made by his brother, Mario, through a statement.

"We announce with deep sorrow the passing of Lincoln Díaz-Balart," he published on his X account.

"His love for the United States and his tireless commitment to the cause of a free Cuba guided Lincoln throughout his life and his 24 years of elected public service, including 18 years in the United States House of Representatives," states a statement.

The text highlights his work "as a defender of the oppressed and silenced, author of the democratic requirement for lifting United States sanctions against the Cuban dictatorship, and author of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA)".

"Lincoln is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cristina, his son Daniel and his daughter-in-law Estefanía, his beloved grandchildren Lincoln Daniel and Edwin Rafael, his brothers Rafael, José and Mario, and their wives, Elba, Brenda and Tía. Lincoln was preceded in death by his beloved firstborn son, Lincoln Gabriel," the note states.

Lincoln Díaz-Balart, born in Havana on August 13, 1954, came to the United States to study in public schools and later graduated as a lawyer.

Díaz-Balart, as well as his immediate family, were all members of the Democratic Party. He was president of the young Democrats of Miami-Dade County and of the young Democrats of Florida. He was a member of the executive committee of the Democratic Party, until in 1985 he, along with his wife and his brother Mario, changed their registration to the Republican Party.

Reactions to the Death of Political Leader Lincoln Díaz-Balart
He had epic moments in his political career. He was the author of the Nacara law in 1997, through which residency was granted to hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans who were in danger of deportation.

His name is recognized as one of the most important contemporary political figures in South Florida.

In 1992, Lincoln Díaz-Balart was elected to the United States House of Representatives for Florida's 21st Congressional District. He served as a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs during his first term. In 1994, Lincoln Díaz-Balart became the first Hispanic in history to be appointed a member of the powerful House Rules Committee, according to the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute.