Fulgencio Batista y ZaldÃvar ( January 18 , 1901 - August 8 , 1983 ) was a Cuban president , dictator and military leader. He was President-elect of Cuba from 1940 to 1944, and was in power in Cuba as a dictator from 1952 to 1959 with the direct connection and support of the United States. Batista was ousted by the Cuban Revolution of 1959. Fulgencio Batista Batista 1938 Bacista was born on January 18, 1901 in Benz , Cuba. He died on August 8, 1983 (age 62) in Guadalmina, Spain .