Part 3/6:
With the rise of Mussolini in 1922, the Italian dictator turned his attention to Sicily, aiming to exert undivided control over the region. As epitomized by his 1924 visit to Sicily, Mussolini arrived with significant military presence, casting a shadow over the local Mafia leadership, particularly the notorious Mayor Don Francesco Cuccia.
Cuccia’s lack of feigned deference sparked Mussolini’s ire, leading to a rivalry marked by public humiliation. Instead of a warm reception, the dictator faced a handpicked crowd of supporters—a gesture of defiance that exacerbated the situation. Their confrontational relationship only intensified Mussolini’s ambitions to crush the Mafia presence in Sicily.