Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a former U.S. congressman and a major figure in the community of Cubans living in the U.S., died at the age of 70 after a long fight with cancer. His political impact lives on in U.S. foreign policy, especially the fact that he made the Cuban embargo a law. As a strong Republican, Diaz-Balart pushed for immigration changes and was a key figure in the political shift of Cuban-Americans to the GOP.
What did Lincoln Diaz-Balart do?
A Life Dedicated to Serving Others
But Lincoln Diaz-Balart was more than just a politician. He was a symbol of the fight against communism in Cuba. He worked as a politician for many years and was in both the Florida Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.
A stronghold for politics in Miami
In Miami, the name “Lincoln” was used to refer to Diaz-Balart instead of the 16th president of the United States. He had an impact on politics across the country, especially when it came to Cuba, immigration, and Republican policies.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart and the Ban on Cuba
The person who came up with the Helms-Burton Act
The Helms-Burton Act of 1996, which made the Cuban blockade official, was made possible in large part by Diaz-Balart. This made sure that lifting the ban would need approval from Congress. Without major democratic changes in Cuba, this would be very hard to do again.
Why did he fight so hard for the embargo?
He thought that keeping economic pressure on Cuba was the only way to bring down Fidel Castro’s communist government. The ban is still one of the most divisive U.S. foreign policy decisions ever.
What the Diaz-Balart family has done in politics
A family with a history of politics
Lincoln came from a long line of strong politicians. Rafael Diaz-Balart was his father and a leader in Cuba before Chávez took power. Mario Diaz-Balart, his brother, continues his work in Congress, and José Diaz-Balart, his other brother, is a well-known writer.
A Link to Fidel Castro personally
By chance, Lincoln was connected to Fidel Castro. Castro was married to Mirta Diaz-Balart, who was Lincoln’s aunt. This meant that Castro’s son Fidelito was a cousin of Lincoln’s. Even though they were connected, Lincoln stayed one of Castro’s loudest critics.
New Arrivals and Chain Reunion Act (NACARA)
What did NACARA do?
In 1997, Diaz-Balart led the way in passing the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), which helped people from Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, and Guatemala who were trying to escape repressive governments.
Would NACARA Pass Today?
The current state of politics makes it doubtful that the Republican Party will support a bill like NACARA. This makes Diaz-Balart’s accomplishments even more impressive when looked back on.
How Lincoln Diaz-Balart changed relations between the US and Cuba
Creating a political identity for Cuban Americans
A lot of Cuban-Americans switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party because of Diaz-Balart. This is still a strong trend today.
What the Cuban embargo meant for his career
His firm stand on Cuba made him a hero among Cuban exiles but a divisive figure in U.S. politics as a whole.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s Time in Politics
The early years of politics in Florida
From 1987 to 1989, he worked in Florida’s House of Representatives. From 1989 to 1993, he worked in the Florida Senate. He was later voted to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1993 to 2011.
Why Did He Give Up?
After almost 20 years in Congress, Diaz-Balart retired in 2011. She left behind a strong reputation and is still involved in politics.
Thoughts on Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Tributes from Friends and Family
This man’s brother Mario called him a man of “dignity, honor, and grace.” His impact was felt in places other than Congress.
Left behind by his family
Cristina, Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s wife, and Daniel, his son, will miss him. Lincoln Gabriel, his other boy, died in a terrible accident in 2013.
