Batista y Zaldívar, Fulgencio
Batista y Zaldívar, Fulgencio (1901-73), Cuban president (1940-44, 1952-59) and dictator, born in Banes. He joined the military in 1921 and in 1933 emerged as a leader in the overthrow of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada, who had succeeded dictator Gerardo Machado y Morales earlier in the year. Under the first regime of Ramón Grau San Martín, Batista became chief of staff of the army and as such gained control of the Cuban government; in 1934 he forced Grau's resignation. Ruling first through puppets, he was elected president in 1940 and during his 4-year term actually effected some social reforms. In 1944, however, his handpicked candidate was defeated by Grau, and for the next eight years Batista remained in the background. Then, in 1952, he staged a coup with army backing, assumed the presidency, and suspended the constitution; he was ratified in office by a sham election in 1954. An armed revolt, led by Fidel Castro, finally overthrew Batista's corrupt government on January 1, 1959. He spent the rest of his life in exile.
See: Castro,Fidel, Cuba