He was captured and killed in Bolivia on October 9, 1986.
On December 26, 1959, Che addressed the students of the Central University of Las Vegas on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.
‘The dignity I am conferred here today is something I can only humbly accept on behalf of the people of this country, not as individuals.
How can an individual, Ernesto Guevara, receive an honorary doctorate from the School of Education, where all of his education has come from guerrilla camps?
Through bitter arguments and clashes? I believe my education cannot be converted into caps and gowns.
That is why I have come before you today in military uniform in honor of our army.
On the auspicious occasion of receiving this title, I would also like to present our army in full glory.
I once promised the students on this campus that I would share my thoughts on the role of the university with them.
I could not keep my word for so many days due to thousands of incidents and work pressure. Today, I will keep that promise.
What should be the main role of the university in this new Cuba?
I will say, it is time to build the university in a different style in Ventura.
The doors of this university should be opened for blacks, mixed castes, workers and farmers.
The university will be for the masses. Remember, this university is not the ancestral property of anyone, it is the property of the Cuban people.
Victory will only belong to the people. People now know that they are irresistible.
Today, they are looking at this with hope, the university has to open the mask of aristocracy and greet them with a smile.
Either open the door of the university to the public, or just open the door; The people will build the university as their own.
If I have to give some advice as a representative of the people and the revolutionary army and of course as your professor,
But I would say, if you want to reach people, you have to mix with people. You need to know what people want, what they need, how they are, what they are thinking.
Look at the statistics of this university, how many workers, farmers, people who work eight hours a day have been able to set foot here.
Then ask yourself if the Cuban regime reflects the will of the people.
Now think about the government that is turning the will of the people into its work,
What is that government doing with this university? Unfortunately, the government, which represents the entire Cuban people, has little connection with the university.
The wishes, hopes, aspirations of the common people of the country cannot reach here freely.
I am a child of the soil, the people of the country have raised me.
I believe that these people have the right to enjoy the benefits of education.
The wall that surrounds the education system must be torn down. Education is not a luxury that only those who have money in their father's pocket will be educated.
Education must also be delivered with bread every day from house to house in Cuba.
I am still not proud to say that the teachers and students here have opened the doors of the university to thousands of workers and farmers.
We still have a long way to go.
As a revolutionary, I would like to humbly tell all of you that no one else has the exclusive right to education, nor is this campus for any particular group.
Every citizen of Cuba has equal rights here. Either they have to give back their rights, or they will have to claim it themselves.
Coming to university was the turning point in my life; A middle-class man, the young Dr. Ernesto of that day once dreamed like you.
Struggle has changed me, I have realized the importance of revolution, I have come and stood in the ranks of the people.
I hope that those of you who are the driving force of the university today will give it back to the people.
But this is not a threat or a cause for concern for you.
I just want to say that if the students of the University of Las Vegas unite with the revolutionary government that represents the people and the people,
But that would add another feather to Cuba's hat of success.
My current colleague, I would like to say to the professors of this university, get rid of the old ones.
Include yourself in the ranks of black, mixed, workers and peasants in society. Stand by the people of the country.
You have to live with them, breathe in the same air. Try to feel one and the same Cuba.
When we all do these things together, no one will be disrespected.
No one will be small, I will not lose. As a country, Cuba will move forward with firm steps.
I will not be sad if I forget this Professor of Education, Doctor, Bank, President, Commander — who is saying goodbye to you now.
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