Ful⋅gen⋅cio /fulˈhɛnsyɔ/Show Spelled Pronunciation[fool-hen-syaw]Show IPA, (Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar), 1901–73, Cuban military leader: dictator of Cuba 1934–40; president 1940–44, 1952–59.
Ba·tis·ta y Zal·dí·var (bə-tēs'tə ē zäl-dē'vär', bä-tē'stä) Cuban dictator (1933-1940) and president (1940-1944 and 1954-1958). His corrupt authoritarian regime was overthrown on New Year's Day, 1959, by a revolutionary movement led by Fidel Castro.