Mario Díaz-Balart, U.S. Congressman representing Florida’s 26th District since 2003, published a series of posts on July 22, 2025, addressing efforts to honor Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá and reaffirming support for the Cuban people’s struggle for freedom.
In a tweet posted at 18:14 UTC, Díaz-Balart shared his full statement with the message: “My full statement https://t.co/6YqYIo9VQA”.
On the same day and time, he commented on a proposal to rename the street in front of the Cuban embassy in Washington D.C. after Payá. Díaz-Balart stated: “Renaming the street in front of the embassy in D.C. for Payá will honor those lost while ensuring that their legacy in the struggle for a free Cuba endures. The Cuban people will be free, thanks to courageous heroes who continue to risk everything in the name of freedom”.
Díaz-Balart also provided a Spanish-language version of his statement at 18:17 UTC: “Mi declaración https://t.co/98recNY8nM”.
Oswaldo Payá was a prominent Cuban activist known for advocating democratic reforms and human rights in Cuba. Renaming streets as symbolic gestures has been used by U.S. lawmakers to highlight political causes and honor dissidents.
Díaz-Balart was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1961 and currently resides in Miami. He holds a BA from the University of South Florida and previously served in both chambers of Florida’s legislature before joining Congress.
