“They were loud talkers.” Imagine hearing that from a neighbor. It was a different time. Today, we stand before the Primero Encuentro Fidel Castro y Che Guevara. It marks the spot of a pivotal moment in history. This is where Fidel Castro and Ernesto “Che” Guevara first met.
This meeting happened in Mexico City. It occurred in July 1955. The location was 49 José de Emparán Street. A plaque commemorates this historic encounter. The building itself looks quite ordinary now. But back then, it was a hotbed of revolutionary planning.
Raúl Castro introduced Fidel to Che at María Antonia’s apartment. Writers say they hit it off immediately. The one-bedroom apartment became a base. It was where Fidel organized and trained his insurrectionary force. This force would eventually oust Batista from Cuba.
The meeting between Castro and Guevara lasted ten uninterrupted hours. The Cuban Ambassador to Mexico highlighted their mutual loyalty. He also emphasized their respect and admiration. Guevara soon joined Castro’s expedition. Their goal was to liberate Cuba.
Guevara wrote to his parents about Castro. He said Castro impressed him as an extraordinary man. Castro faced impossible things and resolved them. He had exceptional faith. He believed he would reach Cuba, fight, and win.
The bronze statues you see depict Castro holding a cigar. Guevara holds a pipe. The monument weighs 250 kilograms. It cost around Mex$600,000. Óscar Ponzanelli designed it in 2017.
The Primero Encuentro Fidel Castro y Che Guevara hasn’t always been smooth sailing. It was inaugurated on December 2, 2017. Ricardo Monreal did the honors. The location was behind the San Carlos National Museum. This was close to where they originally met.
However, the bench was removed a few weeks later. It lacked authorization from the Committee for Monuments. It was reinstalled on October 17, 2020. There have been mixed opinions about the statue.
A local deputy wanted it removed. He called Castro and Guevara murderers and homophobes. But others defended the statue. They considered Castro and Guevara icons of the neighborhood.
There was even an attempted theft. Two men poured white paint over the sculptures in September 2021. Despite the controversies, the Primero Encuentro Fidel Castro y Che Guevara remains. It marks a significant meeting. It changed the course of Cuban history. It serves as a reminder of their shared vision. It also reminds us of their dedication.