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Here are two men, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo and Fidel Castro; both embodied and enforced a brutal regime, with so many similarities in their political beliefs and agendas, yet Fidel has proven to be the more intelligent of them both. For, Fidel has survived the United States trying to intervene in his affairs with his country for more than five decades, but to no avail. On the other hand Rafael Trujillo embraced the United States and died at their hands. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo was born on October 24, 1891. Not much is known of his early years, however, one story tells of his later ruler. As a child he liked to collect bottle caps; as a result, acquired the nickname “chapita” which means slang for bottle cap. Trujillo began work as a telegraph operator at the age of sixteen. In 1918 he was accepted into the Dominican National Guard created by the United States. In 1921 he was sent to officer’s school and soon after graduation he reached the rank of Captain. His rise through the ranks was impressive. Captain in 1922, Captain and Inspector of the First District in 1923, Major Commander 1924, Lieutenant Colonel and chief of staff, national police 1924 and finally Colonel and Commander of police in 1925. In 1927 the police were transformed into the national army; Trujillo was awarded the rank of Brigadier General and last but not least in 1930 he was designated the President of the Dominican Republic.
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