Fidel reads the letter from Che's Farewell letter in which he explaines why he left Cuba (1965)

[1.06 MB, 1.41 min.]

 

ORIGINAL TEXT:
"Fidel: Me recuerdo en esta hora de muchas cosas, de cuando te conocí en casa de María Antonia, de cuando me propusiste venir, de toda la tensión de los preparativos. Un día pasaron preguntando a quién se debía avisar en caso de muerte y la posibilidad real del hecho nos golpeó a todos. Después supimos que era cierto, que en una Revolución se triunfa o se muere (si es verdadera).
Otras tierras del mundo reclaman el concurso de mis modestos esfuerzos. Yo puedo hacer lo que te está negado por tu responsabilidad al frente de Cuba y llegó la hora de separarnos.
Sépase que lo hago con una mezcla de alegría y dolor; aquí dejo lo más puro de mis esperanzas de constructor y lo más querido entre mis seres queridos...y dejo un pueblo que me admitió como un hijo...

   Hasta la victoria siempre. ¡ Patria o Muerte !
   Te abrazo con todo fervor revolucionario.

                                                                Che"

 

TRANSLATION:
"Fidel: At this moment I remember many things -- when I met you in Marfa Antonia's house, when you suggested my coming, all the tensions involved in the preparations.
One day they asked who should be notified in case of death, and the real possibility of that fact affected us all. Later we knew that it was true, that in revolution one wins or dies (if it is a real one).
Seldom has a statesman been more brilliant than you in those days. I am also proud of having followed you without hesitation, identified with your way of thinking and of seeing and appraising dangers and principles. Other nations of the world call for my modest efforts. I can do that which is denied you because of your responsibility as the head of Cuba, and the time has come for us to part.
I want it known that I do it with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow: I leave here the purest of my hopes as a builder, and the dearest of those I love. And I leave a people who received me as a son.

                                                                                          
Ever onward to victory! Our country or death!
I embrace you with all my revolutionary fervor.

                                                                     Che"