Ba ‧ tis ‧ ta, Ful ‧ gen ‧ ci ‧ o /bəˈtiːstə, fʊlˈhensiəʊ/ BrE AmE
(1901–73) a Cuban politician who was in control of the country during the 1950s. He put many of his opponents in prison, and became very rich by using his political power. In 1959, Fidel ↑ Castro led an army against him and forced him to leave the country.