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[[Image:Batista4.gif|right|250px|thumb|Batista warmly welcoming U.S. President [[Franklin Roosevelt]]]]
'''Fulgencio Batista''' was the President of [[Cuba]] for two periods, 1940–44 and 1952-19591952–1959. He was head of the Cuban military and effective de facto Cuban leader when not in office from 1933. His first period in power saw Cuba undertake significant liberal reforms, and Batista, of mixed heritage, was initially popular amongst black and poor Cubans.
Batista's return to presidency via a coup d'État in 1952 led to the suspension of the Cuban constitution, and sparked unrest in Cuba. Rigged elections and an increasingly corrupt regime with close ties to the United States drew large opposition from a coalition of Cubans from all political backgrounds including [[Fidel Castro]]'s [[26th of July Movement]]. During the tenure of Batista media freedom prevailed largely.
