DS in Spanish, eight pages, 9 x 13.5, February 23, 1959, on ‘Republica de Cuba, Presidencia’ letterhead, initialed in the left margin of the first seven pages by Castro, “F. C.,” and signed at the conclusion as Prime Minister. Lengthy multi-article document from the Cabinet of Ministers, Ministry of Public Works, in part (translated): “Whereas: In the Decree Number 1525 of July 8, 1954, an entity called ‘Eastern Hydroelectric S.A.’ was granted a concession for the use of the waters of the river Toa…holding that granting concession to compliance…of certain obligations entered in the body of law referred…
Whereas: The Third Rule of Law-Decree itself provides that such grant will expire completely if they had not started the execution of any of the works…within a period of 18 months…
Whereas: The concessionaire…has failed to fulfill his office, by reason that, despite having spent more than four and a half years of the effective date of the Act has not commenced the execution of any of the works mentioned…
Whereas: It is a fundamental concern of the Revolutionary Government, the execution of any work tending to promote agrarian reform in order to build national wealth in the economy principally benefitting the Cuban people, which advises putting in all member service function or activity may contribute to the full development of this responsible mission.
Therefore:… the Council of Ministers has approved… the forfeiture, for all legal purposes, of the concession granted to the entity…in consequence of which the concessionaire has failed all obligations incumbent.”
In fine condition, with embossed seal over Castro’s signature and expected light document wear.
Upon the establishment of Cuba’s new revolutionary state in January of 1959, Castro immediately began nationalizing all aspects of the country, from trade and banking to transportation, industry, and construction. After redistributing land holdings and private properties with the Agrarian Acts (gaining control of more than a third of agriculture), the government dismantled nearly all private companies “to promote agrarian reform in order to build national wealth in the economy principally benefitting the Cuban people.” This document, revoking Eastern Hydroelectric’s right to use the waters of the Toa River (thereby dismantling their business) on the grounds of failure to meet contractual obligations, is a prime example of Castro’s swift economic take-over, signed just one week after he was sworn in as Prime Minister.
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