A revolutionary life
• PECI, PO Box 85, 75522 Paris, cedex 11 France e-mail 100666.1443@compuserve.com fax 331/43792961
1928-45 An Argentine youth
Ernesto Guevara was born in Rosario, Argentina. Because of his chronic asthma, his parents move the family to Alta Gracia in the Cordoba mountains. In 1937, his father founds a Committee of Support for the Spanish Republic. In 1944 the Guevaras move to Buenos Aires
1945-56 Studies and discoveries
Ernesto studies medicine, graduating in 1953, after interrupting his studies for a seven month trip to discover Latin America. As soon as he graduates, he leaves Argentina again, and arrives in Guatemala to experience the democratic upsurge under the Arbenz government. He meets his first wife, Hilda Gadea, and, in July 1955, Fidel Castro. The Cuban recruits Guevara as doctor for his expedition to liberate Cuba from the Batista dictatorship
In March 1956, Ernesto becomes a father. He boasts to his mother that Hildita is "the of Mao Zedung!" Three months later Guevara, Fidel and the other Cuban rebels are arrested by the Mexican authorities, but released after two months. International Viewpoint
1957-58 With Fidel in the Cuban guerrilla struggle
On 2 September 1956, the Granma touches Cuban soil, carrying 82 rebel fighters. Ambushed and disoriented, only 22 men make it to the Sierra Maestra, where Fidel establishes their base. After a series of successes, Che leads a second column of guerrillas out of the mountains in August 1958. His 148-strong group heads for central Cuba, and takes the strategically important town of Santa Clara on 30 December 1958. With Havana paralysed by a general strike, the Batista dictatorship crumbles. Che and his troops enter the capital in victory on 2 January 1959. 1959-65 Comrade minister
Awarded Cuban citizenship, 'Che' Guevara plays a central role in the transformation of Cuban society. In October 1959 he supervises the agrarian reform. One month later, he is appointed president of the national bank. In February 1961 he becomes Minister of Industry. Fidel Castro proclaims the "socialist character of the Cuban revolution."
During this period, Guevara has che three children with Aleida March, his companion from the Sierra Maestra: Aleidita, Celia and Camillo
He travels extensively, making several visits to Algeria's radical leader Ben Bella, and participating in the Cuban delegation to the commemoration of the 47th anniversary of Russia's October revolution. On 24 February 1965 he criticises the policies of the USSR at a conference in Algiers. 1965-66 The year Che was "nowhere"
He leaves Cuba in total secrecy in March 1965, abandoning all official responsibilities and renouncing his Cuban citizenship. On October 3rd Fidel Castro publicises his farewell letter. Che tries to aid the Congolese rebel movement, but is eventually forced to leave the country. 1966-67 The final "battle cry against imperialism"
In November 1966 Che arrives in Bolivia, at the head of a small guerrilla force. They are quickly surrounded by a large force of army troops. The expected support from the local Communist Party does not come. The conditions of the isolated guerrillas become more and more desperate. On 8 October 1967 Che is wounded and captured, as are most of his band. The following day he is executed, on the orders of the Bolivian president and his CIA advisors.
He is 39 years old. He has been politically active for only thirteen years.*
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