Carlos Manuel Piedra
Encyclopedia
Carlos Manuel Piedra y Piedra (or Carlos Modesto Piedra y Piedra, 1895 – 1988) held the presidency of Cuba
for a single day (January 2, 1959) during the transition of power between Fulgencio Batista
and revolutionary leader Fidel Castro
in the Cuban Revolution
. Piedra was appointed provisional President by a junta led by Eulogio Cantillo in accordance with the 1940 Cuban constitution. Piedra had previously been the eldest judge of the Supreme Court
. Piedra's appointment was met with opposition from Castro who believed that Manuel Urrutia
should be appointed.
He was married to María Luisa Martínez Díaz and had two daughters, Isis and Flavia Piedra Martínez.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
for a single day (January 2, 1959) during the transition of power between Fulgencio Batista
Fulgencio Batista
Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar was the United States-aligned Cuban President, dictator and military leader who served as the leader of Cuba from 1933 to 1944 and from 1952 to 1959, before being overthrown as a result of the Cuban Revolution....
and revolutionary leader Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
in the Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
. Piedra was appointed provisional President by a junta led by Eulogio Cantillo in accordance with the 1940 Cuban constitution. Piedra had previously been the eldest judge of the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Cuba
The People's Supreme Court is the highest body of judicial power in Cuba. It is elected by, and accountable to, the National Assembly of People’s Power...
. Piedra's appointment was met with opposition from Castro who believed that Manuel Urrutia
Manuel Urrutia Lleó
Manuel Urrutia Lleó was a liberal Cuban lawyer and politician. Urrutia campaigned against the Gerardo Machado government and the second presidency of Fulgencio Batista during the 1950s, before serving as president in the first revolutionary government of 1959...
should be appointed.
He was married to María Luisa Martínez Díaz and had two daughters, Isis and Flavia Piedra Martínez.