Havana, October 9, 2024 – Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez honored the altruism and lasting relevance of Ernesto Che Guevara’s revolutionary ideals as Cuba commemorated the 57th anniversary of his capture and subsequent assassination in Bolivia.

In a message shared on his X account (@DiazCanelB), Díaz-Canel emphasized that the guerrilla fighter “was 39 years old and possessed an infinite resolve to fight for human emancipation” when he fell in the Andean country. He added that, 57 years later, “Che continues to serve as a permanent source of inspiration for all who fight.”

For Cubans, Che Guevara left behind an enduring legacy of justice and the example of fighting relentlessly for the well-being of all. His commitment influenced the island nation’s efforts to promote comprehensive growth.

Che’s anti-imperialist political thought, deeply rooted in a Marxist vision, remains a guiding force in the Cuban Revolution’s resilience against the hostility of U.S. governments for more than six decades.

Che entered Cuban history after meeting Fidel Castro and the future Granma expeditionaries during their preparation in Mexico in 1956.

After the revolutionary triumph, his work, leadership in international forums, and values demonstrated during his roles as Minister of Industries and President of the National Bank of Cuba earned him the admiration and trust of the Cuban people.

Beyond Cuba’s borders, Che’s figure stands as a global symbol of the fight against oppression, solidified by his involvement in liberation movements in other countries—a clear testament to the internationalist spirit that was evident in his speeches.

On October 8, 1967, Che was captured by the Bolivian army and brutally murdered under orders from the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. government. His body was desecrated, and it was only 30 years later that his remains were located and brought back to Cuba.

Today, Che Guevara rests alongside other guerrilla fighters at the Che Guevara Mausoleum, a memorial in the city of Santa Clara.

Every October 8 marks the start of the “Camilo-Che” commemorative period, which concludes on October 28 with the remembrance of the disappearance of Commander Camilo Cienfuegos, who died in a plane crash in 1959 and was a close friend of Che.

Telesur