The move was vehemently opposed by U.S. ambassador Earl E. T. Smith, and led U.S. State Department adviser William Wieland to lament that "I know Batista is considered by many as a son of a bitch ... but American interests come first ... at least he was our son of a bitch."
U.S. ambassador Earl E. T. Smith strongly opposed the move, which prompted U.S. State Department adviser William Wieland to express concern: "Batista is seen by many as a bastard, but American interests take precedence ... at least he has been ours."