Manuel Urrutia Lleó

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Manuel Urrutia (wearing dark glasses) with rebel leaders Che Guevara (to Urrutia's right) and Camilo Cienfuegos (to his left)

Manuel Urrutia Lleó (8 December 1901 Yaguajay, Las Villas Province, Cuba–5 July 1981 New York) was a Cuban lawyer and politician. Urrutia campaigned against the Gerardo Machado government and the second presidency of Fulgencio Batista during the 1950s, before serving as Cuban president in the first revolutionary government of 1959. After only six months, Urrutia resigned his position due to a series of disputes with revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, emigrating to the United States shortly after.

[edit] Role in the Cuban revolution

Urrutia was a leading figure in the civic resistance movement against Batista's government during the Cuban revolution, and was the agreed choice of future president among Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement as early as April 1958.^[1] In 1957 Urrutia had presided in court over a case in which members of the movement had been charge with "anti-government activities", ruling that the defendants had been acting within their rights.^[2] A year later, Urrutia visited the U.S. to gain support for the Cuban revolution, successfully lobbying for a halt of weapons shipments to Batista's forces.^[3] It was considered that the choice of Urrutia, an educated liberal and Christian, as president would be welcomed by the United States.^[1]

[edit] Presidency

The Cuban revolution gained victory on January 1 1959, and Urrutia returned from a spell exiled in Venezuela to take up residence in the presidential palace. Urrutia's new revolutionary government consisted largely of Cuban political veterans and pro-business liberals including José Miró Cardona, who was appointed as Urritia's prime minister.^[4]

Once in power, Urrutia swiftly began a program of closing all brothels, gambling outlets and the national lottery, arguing that these had long been a corrupting influence on the state. The measures drew immediate resistance from the large associated workforce, and the dissapproving Castro, then commander of Cuba's new armed forces, intervened to request a stay of execution until alternative employment could be found.^[5]

Disagreements also arose in the new government concerning pay cuts which were imposed on all public officials on Castro's demand. The disputed cuts included a reduction of the $100,000 a year presidential salary Urritia had inherited from Batista.^[6] By February Castro had assumed the role of prime minister following the surprise resignation of Miró, strengthening his power and rendering Utturia increasingly a figurehead president.^[4] As Urrutia's participation in the legislative process declined, other unresolved disputes between the two leaders continued to fester. Utturia's belief in the restoration of elections was rejected by Castro, who felt that they would usher in a return to the old discredited system of corrupt parties and fraudulent balloting which marked the Batista era.^[3]

Urrutia was then accused by the Avance newspaper of buying a luxury villa, which was portrayed as a frivolous betrayal of the revolution and led to an outcry from the general public. Urrutia denied the allegation issuing a writ against the newspaper in response. The story further increased tensions in the Cuban government between the various factions, though Urrutia asserted publicly that he had "absolutely no disagreements" with Fidel Castro. Urrutia attempted to distance the Cuban government (including Castro) from the growing influence of the Cuban Communists within the administration, making a series of critical public comments against the latter group. Whilst Castro had not openly declared any affiliation with the Cuban communists, Urrutia had been a declared anti-Communist since they had refused to support the insurrection against Batista,^[7] stating in an interview, "If the Cuban people had heeded those words, we would still have Batista with us ... and all those other war criminals who are now running away".^[3]

[edit] Resignation

On July 17 1959, Conrado Bécquer, the sugar workers' leader demanded Urrutia's resignation. Castro himself resigned as Prime Minister of Cuba in protest, but later that day appeared on television to deliver a lengthy denouncement of Urrutia, claiming that Urrutia "complicated" government, and that his "fevered anti-Communism" was having a detrimental effect. Castro's sentiments received widespread support as organized crowds surrounded the presidential palace demanding Urrutia's resignation, which was duly received. On July 23rd, Castro resumed his position as premier appointing Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado as the new President.^[7]

[edit] After Cuba

After leaving his post Urrutia sought asylum in the embassy of Venezuela before settling in Queens, New York. Urrutia worked as a high school Spanish teacher until his death in 1981.

[edit] Footnotes