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Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado (April 17, 1919-June 23, 1983) was a Cuban political figure, and served as president of Cuba from July 17, 1959 until December 2, 1976, afterwhich Fidel Castro became president. He committed suicide in 1983.
A prosperous lawyer, he participated in Fidel Castro's revolutionary movement and was imprisoned (1958). He escaped and fled to Mexico, returning to Cuba after Castro's triumph (1959). As minister of laws (1959) he helped to formulate Cuban policies. He was appointed president in 1959, as he was expected to be more loyal to Castro than former president Manuel Urrutia Lleó. Intelligent and competent, he wielded considerable influence. In 1976 the Cuban government was reorganized, and Castro assumed the title of president; Dorticós was named a member of the council of state.
Preceded by: Manuel Urrutia Lleó | President of Cuba July 17, 1959 – December 2, 1976 | Succeeded by: Fidel Castro |