The first Commander of the Rebel Army (+audio).

This July 21st marks the 66th anniversary of Ernesto Guevara de la Serna’s promotion by Fidel to the rank of Commander and his designation as chief of the second column of the Rebel Army.

Granting Che the highest guerrilla rank was not a voluntary act of the revolutionary leader. It was the recognition of his extraordinary qualities as a combatant and political-military leader demonstrated from the very moment he enlisted in the Cuban army.

With the operational independence implied by this promotion, which took place on July 21st, 1957, the heroic guerrilla began to consolidate his qualities as an authentic, demanding and capable military leader.

…ONLINE AUDIO.

Written by Yovana Baró Álvarez.