Fulgencio Batista y Zaldivar (1901–1973), Cuban
dictator (1933 - 1944, 1952 - 1959). As an army
sergeant, he took part in a military coup in 1933 and became the
de facto ruler of
Cuba and later its
elected president from 1940 to 1944. He retired to
Florida with his wealth after a
period of
stability, reform and
corruption. In 1952 he seized
power again and had himself
elected president (1954, 1958). His corrupt rule caused popular discontent, and he fled the country in 1959 during the
Castro revolution.
See also Castro in this glossary. —SHSBC Binder 29 Approved Glossary