Fulgencio Batista was a Cuban military leader and politician who served as the President of Cuba twice, first from 1940 to 1944 and then from 1952 to 1959. His rule was marked by authoritarianism, and he came to power through a military coup. Batista's government was known for its close ties to the United States and for promoting economic development, but it also faced criticism for corruption and repression. In 1959, Batista was overthrown by the Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro and other revolutionaries. After his ousting, Batista fled to the United States, where he lived in exile until his death in 1973. His legacy remains controversial, as some view him as a dictator while others see him as a modernizer.