Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Lived / active: 1954–2025
Role: U.S. Representative from Florida (1993–2011)
Associated with: Little Havana · First Cuban Exile Wave
In a sentence: A nine-term congressman and leading legislative voice on U.S. policy toward Cuba.

The Arc

Lincoln Diaz-Balart was born in 1954 into the prominent Diaz-Balart family, which left Cuba after the revolution. He was educated in the United States, became an attorney, and served in the Florida legislature before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, taking office in 1993.

He served nine terms, until 2011, representing a South Florida district. In Congress he was closely identified with legislation on U.S. policy toward Cuba, including work associated with the codification of the U.S. embargo. He is the brother of Mario Diaz-Balart, who also served in Congress. He died in 2025.

Why They Matter

Diaz-Balart was one of the most influential congressional voices from Miami's exile community on the issue that defined it: U.S. policy toward Cuba. His career, alongside his brother's, anchors the Diaz-Balart political family and exemplifies how the Cuban exile wave translated into national legislative power based out of Little Havana.

Neighborhoods: Little Havana Eras: The First Cuban Exile Wave Related dynasties / people: The Diaz-Balart Family / Mario Diaz-Balart