IDENTIFICATION -Fulgencio Batista Y Zaldivar

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The Answer is Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar was a Cuban military officer and politician who served as the elected President of Cuba from 1940 to 1944 and later as its U.S.-backed military dictator from 1952 to 1959, before being overthrown during the Cuban Revolution. Batista initially rose to power as a sergeant in the 1933 Revolt of the Sergeants, which overthrew the government of Gerardo Machado. He became the de facto leader behind a series of puppet presidents until he was elected president himself in 1940.

During his first term as President, Batista pursued progressive policies, promoting social reforms and allowing for the development of a more inclusive political system. However, after failing to be re-elected in 1944, he spent several years in the United States before returning to Cuba.

In 1952, Batista led a military coup that preempted the upcoming elections in which he was running for president again. He canceled the elections and took control of the government as a dictator. During his second tenure, Batista's regime became increasingly corrupt and repressive. His government was closely aligned with American interests and was supported by the U.S. government, which valued his anti-communist stance during the Cold War era.

Under Batista, the Cuban economy was dominated by American companies and the mafia, which controlled the lucrative gambling and tourism industries. His rule was marked by widespread inequality, political repression, and human rights abuses, which fueled popular discontent and resistance.

Batista's dictatorship was challenged by various rebel groups, the most successful of which was the 26th of July Movement led by Fidel Castro. After years of guerrilla warfare, Batista fled Cuba on January 1, 1959, as Castro's forces were on the brink of victory. His departure marked the end of his regime and the beginning of a new era in Cuban history under Fidel Castro's communist government.

IDENTIFICATION -Fulgencio Batista Y Zaldivar

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