1965
Algiers:
the last public speech
Che Guevara continued his journey in Africa, where he met the leaders of the Revolutionary Movement. He publicly declared Cuba’s full support for the countries that were fighting against colonialism. On 24th February in Algiers he severely criticized the attitude of socialist countries towards less developed nations: “How can it be ‘mutually beneficial’ to sell at world market prices the raw materials that cost the underdeveloped countries immeasurable sweat and suffering, and to buy at world market prices the machinery produced in today’s big automated factories? […] Socialist countries have the moral duty to put an end to their tacit complicity with the exploiting countries of the West.”
On 12th March, when Che was in Prague, the Argentinian weekly magazine published Man and Socialism in Cuba, in which he stated that:
“To build communism it is necessary, simultaneous with the new material foundations, to build the new man and woman […].
Society as a whole must be converted into a gigantic school.”
Birth of his son Ernesto
On 24th February, in Algiers, he learnt of the birth of his son Ernesto. He sent his wife a telegram, in which he affectionately calls the baby “Tete”, the nickname he had as a child. “Ernesto Guevara March (to be delivered to his home or the hospital) in Havana. Tete, tell the old lady that I am not coming home for dinner. Tell her to behave. Give your siblings a big kiss. Your old man. Algiers, 24th February 1965.”
Farewell letters
15th March: Che returned to Havana and was reunited with his family for a brief period. He already had a new objective – supporting the revolution in Congo. Before setting off, unrecognizable in disguise, he wrote several farewell letters.
To his children he wrote that “Your father has been a man who acted according to his beliefs and certainly has been faithful to his convictions. […] Above all, always be capable of feeling deeply any injustice committed against anyone, anywhere in the world. This is the most beautiful quality in a revolutionary.”
To his parents he wrote, “Dear parents […] I return to the trail with my shield on my arm. Many will call me an adventurer – and that I am, only one of a different sort: one of those who risks his skin to prove his platitudes. […] Remember this minor leader of the 20th century […]”.
Guerilla in Congo
Che departed from Cuba on 1st April. He reached Tanzania and on the 23rd he crossed Lake Tanganyika.
In Congo he soon understood the seriousness of the situation, caused by tribal rivalry, immobility and the local leaders’ superficial attitude. During the operation he was informed of the death of his mother, Celia.
3rd October: in Havana, during the presentation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Fidel Castro disclosed Guevara’s farewell letter to the public: “Fidel […] I feel that I have fulfilled that part of my duty which bound me to the Cuban Revolution […]. Other nations of the world summon my modest efforts […].”
On 28th November Aleida received a letter from Congo: “The situation is completely out of hand. I have travelled back along the road of defeat with an army of ghosts […]”. Six months after landing in Africa, almost all the Congolese leaders had fled and two Cuban fighters were dead. Albeit reluctantly, Guevara decided to retreat.
Away from Cuba
In January Aleida joined her husband in Tanzania. When she returned to Cuba, she received a letter called Sent: “I love you in this way. In the persistent taste of a bitter coffee on a nameless morning […].” Between April and May Guevara moved to Prague. He was reluctant to return to Cuba, but then he received a letter from Fidel: “You should in all cases consider coming here for a short while. I am well aware of your reluctance. […] Nothing forbids you from taking advantage of being able to enter and leave Cuba, coordinate, plan, choose and train cadres. […] The fact that you may see things differently from me will not in any way affect my esteem, nor will it ever weaken our friendship.”
and then