If you were asked who ruled Cuba from March 10^th, 1952, to December 31^st, 1958, most people would answer that it was Fulgencio Batista. However, few know that during those years Cuba had another president: Andrés Domingo Morales del Castillo, who took office on August 14^th, 1954.

Morales del Castillo was a lawyer and politician. He was born in Santiago de Cuba on September 4^th, 1890. He held different judicial responsibilities in the Neocolonial Republic between 1916 and 1934, among others: secretary of the Eastern Provincial Court; Investigation and Correctional Judge in Palma Soriano; Investigating Judge in Holguín, and later in Santiago de Cuba; magistrate of the Provincial Court of Pinar del Río; and Investigating Judge of the Second Section of Havana.

He reached the executive branch through the mediation of Carlos Mendieta. This ruler appointed him Secretary of Justice in 1934. During the mandate of Miguel Mariano Gómez he continued to hold the same position, until he returned to the judicial world. According to information available on the web, he also presided over the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the National Census Board, in 1938.

But Morales del Castillo's path in politics had not come to an end. After the military coup of 1952, Batista appointed him Secretary of the Presidency and of the Council of Ministers. When the tyrant founded his Unitary Action Party, Morales del Castillo became one of the main organizers. Apparently, the ties became closer as time went on. It’s suggested that, in addition to being an important official of his government, the jurist became one of the front men and intermediaries of Batista's private businesses.

After the actions of July 26^th, 1953, the internal situation became increasingly volatile. The regime opted to legalize its factual power through elections in 1954. It was in this context that Morales del Castillo inscribed his name on the list of Cuban leaders.

It was really just a formal matter. In practice the former stenographer sergeant continued to be the strong man. Through a procedure of the Council of Ministers, he entrusted the first magistracy of the nation to one of his closest collaborators to attend the questionable elections of 1954 and return to the presidential office as an elected candidate.

Therefore, Morales del Castillo served as ruler of the Island from August 14^th, 1954 to February 24^th, 1955. Although various civic and political actors denounced the illegitimacy of the elections, Batista's plan came to fruition. Morales del Castillo, in turn, was reappointed to his previous position as secretary.

Historical sources indicate that, during his short administration, he multiplied the so-called Mobile and Popular Libraries; he regulated and implemented union retirements and insurance; created the Bank for Economic and Social Development; and instituted a Driving Code. In contrast, he outlawed the Popular Socialist Party. It’s also questioned his exemption from tariffs and controls on imports processed by the Armed Forces, since this favored smuggling through the Columbia airport, controlled by the military leadership.

As the triumph of the Revolution was imminent, he left Cuba in the early hours of 1959. He followed a route similar to that of Batista: first Dominican Republic and then Portugal. He passed away in Miami, United States, on June 1^st, 1979.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff