Fulgencio Batista y Zaldivar

Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar , 1901-73, president of Cuba (1940-44, 1952-59). An army sergeant, Batista took part in the overthrow of Gerardo Machado in 1933 and subsequently headed the military and student junta that ousted Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and installed Ramón Grau San Martín . Made chief of staff of the army, he increased its size and power and soon became de facto ruler, launching a three-year plan of economic and social rehabilitation. In 1940, with centrist support, he was elected president and sponsored several reforms that spurred economic growth. After being defeated in 1944, however, he left for the United States. He returned to Cuba in 1949, and in 1952 he seized power through a coup. His second term as president was marked by brutal repression, which led to several uprisings, notably that of Fidel Castro . Pressed by the rebels and after a mock election (1958) had failed to calm the populace, Batista fled Cuba (Jan., 1959) for the Dominican Republic and thence to Portugal and Madeira. He died in Spain.

Batista y Zaldívar, Fulgencio (1901–73) Cuban political leader. A sergeant in the army, he led a successful coup in 1933, and then ruled through a succession of puppet presidents. In 1940 he became president. In 1944 Batista retired and moved to Florida, but in 1952 a military coup returned him to power. In 1959 he was overthrown by Fidel Castro.