Eduardo René Chibás Ribas (August 15, 1907 – August 16, 1951) was a Cuban politician who used radio to broadcast his political views to the public. He primarily denounced corruption and gangsterism rampant during the governments of Ramón Grau and Carlos Prío which preceded the Batista era. He believed corruption was the most important problem Cuba faced. Born in Santiago de Cuba to Eduardo Justo Chibás Guerra and Gloria de Ribas Agramonte, Chibás' strong nationalism is considered to be an inspiration for the Cuban Revolution. In 1947 he formed the Orthodox Party, a strongly anti-imperialist group, which had the goal of exposing government corruption and bringing about revolutionary change through constitutional means. Chibás lost the 1948 election for president, finishing in third place. He was an extremely strong critic of that election's winner, Carlos Prío Socarrás. He was considered a favorite in the 1952 presidential election, but committed suicide a year before Fulgencio Batista seized control of the Cuban government. Politics Early political career Chíbas' political forays started at the University of Havana. After a trip to Europe in 1925, during which he met several other prominent activists, including Ramón Grau, Chíbas became involved in anti-Machado radical protest groups. In 1927, he helped found the Student Directorate, and was briefly jailed in 1931. Though Chibás was never formally involved in the radical ABC group, he ensured that the Directorate maintained close contact with the group, in hopes of "enhancing the organization's prestige." He moved to Washington D.C. shortly after, where he learned the impact radio could have on individuals. However, he later denounced violence in favor of prudent politics. Chibás refused to join a political party for most of the 1930s. In 1938, though, he joined the Auténticos, supporting Grau. Party involvement and radio activism After the student directorate splintered following the election of Grau, and subsequent autonomy granted to the University of Havana, Chibás moved into mainstream politics. Chibás attacked the corruption he saw manifesting during the late 1940s. He criticized President Carlos Prío Socarrás for his economic policy, accusing him of compromising national sovereignty. Broadcasting to a nationwide audience every week, Chibas gave fiery speeches denouncing shady politics. By 1948, he had made himself the leader of the Auténticos, and denounced his former friend Grau in a presidential run. Chibás took a pro-Cuba, strongly nationalistic stance throughout his campaign — dubbed a call for "revolution" by some of