Havana And The Mob: A Timeline Of Organized Crime Events In Cuba

Cuba is known today for sultry music, exotic drinks, high-quality cigars and the communist dictatorship of Fidel Castro. But in the 1950s, the Caribbean’s largest island rivaled Las Vegas for the title of gambling and entertainment capital of the world.

1902:

U.S. occupation of Cuba ends.

1919:

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Cuba legalizes gambling at Oriental Park Racetrack.

1920s:

Cuba enjoys its first era of tourism growth. Cuba built several hotels and gambling halls to entice Americans seeking a break from Prohibition. New York mobsters Charles "Lucky" Luciano and Meyer Lansky first envision a Mob empire in Cuba.

1933:

Reform-minded Cuba closes its casinos, but the economy suffers. New political leader Fulgencio Batista reopens them. Lansky builds relationships in Cuba, especially with Batista. But Luciano and Lansky's grand plans are put on hold by the Great Depression, which takes a heavy toll on Cuba tourism, and by Luciano's 1936 prostitution conviction that sends him to prison.

Early 1940s:

World War II delays the Mob's Cuba plans.

1946:

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Mob conference at Hotel Nacional in Havana. Luciano, recently released from prison, and Lansky outline plans to transform Havana into a gambling mecca. But Luciano is forced to leave Cuba and live in exile in Italy.

1950-51:

U.S. Senate committee hearings led by Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver expose organized crime's national network of illegal activities. Subsequently, Lansky's casinos outside Miami are raided and shut down. It was time for the Mob to make its move to Cuba.

March 10, 1952:

Batista takes over the Cuban government by force. He engages old friend Lansky to build a casino-entertainment empire in Havana.

1953:

Lansky launches plans to improve and expand the Hotel Nacional. He brings in Wilbur Clark from Las Vegas to handle entertainment and promotions.

1955:

Grand reopening of the Oriental Park Racetrack.

1955:

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Batista, brimming with confidence, awards amnesty to 15 rebels held in prison, including Fidel Castro. (Shown: Rebels leaving prison in 1955 after being awarded amnesty)

1956:

Lansky starts building the most lavish resort on the island, the $14 million Hotel Riviera.

1957:

Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy visits Havana, revels in the nightlife and entertainment. Meanwhile, with civil warfare growing, Castro vows that once Batista is overthrown, gambling will be eradicated. Batista and Mob partners are not overly concerned.

December 10, 1957:

Lansky's Hotel Riviera opens as the largest and most glamorous resort on the island. Ginger Rogers is the opening night headliner.

1957-58:

Biggest tourist season ever in Havana. International cast of celebrities visits the island, including Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner.

March 1958:

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Havana Hilton opens. With 660 rooms, it's even bigger than the Riviera.

August 1958:

Construction begins on $20 million Monte Carlo de La Habana resort. American investors include Frank Sinatra.

Late 1958:

Revolutionary activities increase, including fires, bombings, school boycotts and highway closures. Castro surrounds Havana and gears up for final push.

December 17, 1958:

U.S. Ambassador Earl Smith urges Batista to step down.

December 31, 1958:

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Batista flees country as Castro rebels enter Havana and take control. Lansky leads operation to close the casinos and withdraw all U.S. currency. Castro supporters trash casinos, including setting loose a truckload of pigs in the Hotel Riviera.

January 1, 1959:

Mob leaders gather at Joe Stassi's house to divide the salvaged cash, while tourists and well-connected Cubans leave the island by plane and boat.

1959-60:

Many Cuban casino workers leave to work in Las Vegas.

1960:

Castro nationalizes hotel-casinos and other U.S. businesses. United States imposes economic embargo on Cuba that is still in place today.