Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Dorticós in 1960
|
|
| 21st President of Cuba | |
| In office 18 July 1959 – 2 December 1976 |
|
| Prime Minister | Fidel Castro |
| Preceded by | Manuel Urrutia |
| Succeeded by | Fidel Castro |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 April 1919 Cienfuegos, Republic of Cuba |
| Died | 23 June 1983 (aged 64) Havana, Cuba |
| Political party | Popular Socialist Party (1941–1961) 26th of July Movement (1953–1965) Communist Party of Cuba (1965–1983) |
| Spouse | María de la Caridad Molina |
| Alma mater | University of Havana |
Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado (born April 17, 1919 – died June 23, 1983) was an important Cuban politician. He served as the president of Cuba from 1959 to 1976. He worked closely with Fidel Castro, who was a famous Cuban revolutionary leader.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Osvaldo Dorticós was born on April 17, 1919. His family was wealthy and lived in Cienfuegos, Cuba. His father was both a lawyer and a physician. One of his ancestors was Tomas Terry, a very successful businessman.
Dorticós first worked as a teacher. Later, he studied law and philosophy at the University of Havana. He earned his law degree in 1941. He then joined the Popular Socialist Party. This party was linked to communist ideas.
Opposing the Government
In the 1950s, Dorticós became a successful lawyer in Cienfuegos. He was also the leader of the Cienfuegos Yacht Club. He strongly disagreed with the government led by Fulgencio Batista.
Dorticós joined a group called the Civil Resistance Movement. This group helped the rebel forces by giving them weapons and supplies. In 1958, he was chosen as the head of the Cuban Bar Association. Soon after, the Batista government arrested him. He was briefly sent away to Mexico.
Becoming President of Cuba
The Cuban Revolution ended on January 1, 1959. Dorticós then came back to Cuba. He was made the Minister of Revolutionary Laws. In this role, he helped write important new laws. These included the Agrarian Reform Act. This law changed how land was owned in Cuba.
On July 17, 1959, President Manuel Urrutia resigned. Dorticós was then chosen by the Council of Ministers to become the new President of Cuba.
Key Presidential Actions
As President, Dorticós traveled to represent Cuba. He attended the Summit of Non-Aligned Nations in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1961. He also went to the Summit of the Organisation of American States in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in 1962.
During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Dorticós spoke at the United Nations. He announced that Cuba had nuclear weapons. He hoped these weapons would never be used. In 1973, he attended the inauguration of President Héctor Cámpora in Argentina.
Later Government Roles
Even though he was President, Prime Minister Fidel Castro held most of the real power. Dorticós also served in other important roles. He was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba starting in 1965. From 1964, he was also the head of the Central Planning Council.
In 1976, Cuba created a new constitution. This new law combined the jobs of president and prime minister. Fidel Castro became the new president. Dorticós was then named the President of the National Bank. He also became a member of the Council of State.
Death
Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado passed away on June 23, 1983.
See also
