Gómez, José Miguel

Gómez, José Miguel (hōsā` mēgĕl` gō`mĕs), 1858–1921, president of Cuba (1909–13). He took part in the Ten Years War (1868–78) and the successful revolution begun in 1895. A liberal, he was defeated for the presidency in 1906 by Estrada Palma but led an uprising that caused U.S. intervention and his own successful election. Affable and popular, he made some attempt to increase Cuba's material progress, but his administration was marred by corrupt practices. He was succeeded by Mario G. Menocal. In 1920, after unsuccessfully running against Alfredo Zayas, he charged his opponents with fraud, failed to gain support, and went into exile in New York City, where he died.