Leading division shortly found in Havana (3)

I believe the answer is:

van

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'leading' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'division shortly found in havana' is the wordplay.
'VAN' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I am uncertain how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for van that I've seen before include "Truck with an enclosed cargo space" , "Small truck" , "Commercial vehicle or front of army" , "camper?" , "Business vehicles or army front" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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