Cubans Highlight Che Guevara Presence in Congo

Havana, Apr 24 (Prensa Latina) Cubans highlighted the presence of commander Ernesto Che Guevara in Congo, where a group of fighters was seeking to support the independence of this country from the European colonialism. During a meeting yesterday at the headquarters of the Latin American News Agency Prensa Latina, Cuban fighters Victor Dreke, Oscar Fernandez Mell, Jose Antonio Palacio, Florentino Nogas and Roberto Chaveco told their experiences in that mission.

Fernandez Mell, doctor and commander, referred to the joyful nature of Che, even in the most difficult times, and said that he was also very demanding with the troop.

“We lived along with Che a complex domestic scene, amid deeply rooted ethnic rivalry and individual political interests that thwarted the establishment of a substantial force to stamp out European colonialism once and for all”, said Fernandez.

“The distrust of Congolese comrades was another issue against the objectives set”, said Fernandez.

Meanwhile, Jose Antonio Palacio said that Che even carried out diplomatic actions in Congo in the middle of internal disagreements, something that brought out his skills as intellectual and strategist. Regarding the enemies that Che and his men found in Congo, Palacio said that they were mercenaries and regular forces, and also that the latter staged an aerial and land offensive.

Palacio praised the courage of Cubans, mostly aged from 21 to 23, which made quite clear that the fight would be carried out until the last man and the last bullet.