8th President of Cuba. He served from December 24, 1936 to October 10, 1940. Prior to becoming president, he was a Law graduate from the University of Havana. He fought in the War of Independence. He later served as governor of Las Villas Province and then as secretary of the interior until 1912. In 1923 he led an uprising of disgruntled veterans against President Alfredo Zayas. In 1934 he served as Secretary of Justice and in January of 1936 he was elected vice president of Cuba. After the impeachment of the incumbent president, he was installed as president. He is best remembered for granting amnesties to former political prisoners. He was a key player in getting the Cuban Congress to pass many social welfare measures and laws creating pensions, insurance, minimum wages, and limited working hours. He oversaw a new constitution and a major law restructuring the sugar industry. He infamously denied entry to Cuba in 1939 to the passengers of the "MS St. Louis" with more than 900 Jewish refugees, who had obtained an entry visa in Cuba. Known as "Voyage of the Damned", entry was also denied by other countries and the incident became an international crisis. After leaving the presidency, he became an official under strongman Fulgencio Batista.
8th President of Cuba. He served from December 24, 1936 to October 10, 1940. Prior to becoming president, he was a Law graduate from the University of Havana. He fought in the War of Independence. He later served as governor of Las Villas Province and then as secretary of the interior until 1912. In 1923 he led an uprising of disgruntled veterans against President Alfredo Zayas. In 1934 he served as Secretary of Justice and in January of 1936 he was elected vice president of Cuba. After the impeachment of the incumbent president, he was installed as president. He is best remembered for granting amnesties to former political prisoners. He was a key player in getting the Cuban Congress to pass many social welfare measures and laws creating pensions, insurance, minimum wages, and limited working hours. He oversaw a new constitution and a major law restructuring the sugar industry. He infamously denied entry to Cuba in 1939 to the passengers of the "MS St. Louis" with more than 900 Jewish refugees, who had obtained an entry visa in Cuba. Known as "Voyage of the Damned", entry was also denied by other countries and the incident became an international crisis. After leaving the presidency, he became an official under strongman Fulgencio Batista.
Bio by: letemrip
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