Fulgencio Batista y Zalvidar – Cuba's Declaration of War against the Japanese Empire on 9 December 1941Typewritten document with the heading "Ley No. 32", below which the text "Fulgencio Batista y Zalvidar, Presidente de la República de Cuba, HAGO SABER: Que el Congreso ha votado, y yo he sancionado, la sihuiente RESOLUCION CONJUNTA:". The declaration of war follows, composed of two articles: "A partir del dia de hoy queda declarado un estado de guerra entre la República de Cuba y el Imperio del Japón..." with the authorisation of the President to deploy the armed forces to defend the "solidaridad interamericana", the Western hemisphere and democracy and freedom. "DADA en el Palacio de la Presidencia, en la Habana, a 9 de diciembre de 1941". At the bottom are the original signatures in ink of President Batista, Prime Minister Carlos Saladrigas Zayas and Foreign Minister José Manuel Cortina with the blind embossed seals of the two ministers as well as the President's blind embossed blue wafer seal. Outlines of the blue silk ribbon, most of which has been lost, as part of the President's seal. Somewhat stained on the right edge. Also includes two portrait photographs of Batista in uniform and in civilian dress.After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Japan declared war on the United States on 8 December. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua declared war on Japan the same day, while Cuba and Guatemala issued declarations of war the following day.Fulgencio Batista y Zalvidar (1901 - 1973): As a result of the revolt of the Cuban Sergeants he led on 4 September 1933, Ramón Grau became President and Batista became head of the army and de facto the most powerful man in Cuba. Elected President himself in October 1940, Batista's administration, although originally popular, became increasingly affected by corruption, the influence of the U.S. and the American Mafia. In 1944, he was forbidden by law to be re-elected as president. He went to Florida in exile but returned to take power in another coup in 1952, and again assumed power as dictator of Cuba until Fidel Castro took over in 1959.See also Cuba's declaration of war on the German Reich on 11 December 1941, Hermann Historica, 48th Auction 2005, lot no. 7372.Condition: II - III