In a message on X, ACERE (Alliance for Commitment and Respect for Cuba) expressed its deepest condolences to Payne´s friends and family, who died on April 24 after being hospitalized in the city of Newark since April 6, after a physical accident at home.

“During his treatment, he faced medical complications given diabetes and high blood pressure that led to a subsequent cardiorespiratory arrest,” his office informed when announcing the sad news on Wednesday.

ACERE recalled that the politician was one of the first co-sponsors of the U.S.-Cuba Normalization bill of 2021, a proposal that called for repealing the hostile and unjust blockade and other trade and travel actions related to Cuba.

Payne Jr. was born on Dec. 17, 1958, and in 2012 won a special election following the passing of his father, which would allow him to serve out the remainder of his term. At the time of his death Payne Jr. was in the midst of his sixth term on Capitol Hill.

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