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Lansky makes his triumphant return to Havana
Date uncertain, but following Batista's coup and facing legal troubles in the U.S, Lansky returns to Cuba as Batista's “adviser on gambling reform” in order to clean up and modernize casinos, which were scaring tourists by cheating people. He ends the leasing of tables, ends "razzle-dazzle", blackjack dealers now had to deal from a box not from their hand, pit bosses and floor managers were made to do their job.
Source: Havana Nocturne -
Batista is approached for a coup
As the nation was being rocked by strikes and gangsterism looked like it was coming back, following the death of Chibas, Batista is approached by a group of young officers, some idealistic, some self-interested, for a coup before the elections. He was not their choice and they would do it without him. He agrees.
Source: Cuba by Hugh Thomas for book click here -
Batista's Coûp d'Etat
In the 1952 elections, Orthodox candidate Roberto Agramonte appeared sure to win against Fulgencio Batista who was seen as a bygone era politician, out of touch. His "Unified Action Party" was too vague in its politics.
Source: Cuba by Hugh Thomas for book click here -
Fidel begins bickering with Mirta and the Balarts
After Batista's coup, Fidel receives a phone call from his friend and Mirta's brother, Rafael, to tell him he joined Batista's government. Fidel, in a fury, leaves the house. Sends a letter to Mirta that he will not return if her brothers are there. Her brother then left the house.
Source: Fidel y Raúl, mis hermanos -
U.S. recognizes Batista’s government
Without U.S. recognition he cannot rule, this was extremely important for him to secure otherwise cash would dry up, no party would see him as legitimate, and he would have an expiration date.
Source: Cuba by Hugh Thomas for book click here -
Lansky arrested - but not indicted - due to Kefauver commission
Meyer Lansky posted $10,000 bail after surrendering to the state's investigators of gambling and possible political payoffs in Saratoga Springs.
Source: Havana Nocturne -
Batista announces elections
Batista announces new constitutional codes for the November 1953 election. Parties could act normally, with some regulations, starting on January 1953, but they had to “respect the current government” and “avoid inflammatory statements”.
Source: Cuba by Hugh Thomas for book click here -
Naty Revuelta sees Fidel for the first time
Taken by a friend to one of his speeches, she found him hard to forget. Soon she would give him house keys to help with opposition to Batista. She was one of the few people Fidel trusted with knowledge about his impending attack on Moncada. They would not begin an affair for some time.
Source: Havana Dreams