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Batista y Zaldivar, Fulgencio 1901-73
Cuban dictator

Born in Oriente province, a labourer's son, he rose from sergeant-major to colonel in the army coup against President Machado (1931-33) and himself became President (1940-44). In 1952 he overthrew President Prio, and, with himself as sole candidate, was re-elected President (1954). He ruled as a ruthless, embezzling dictator until his overthrow by Fidel Castro in 1959, when he found refuge in the Dominican Republic.