Castro and the wars he

[Subversive Pessimist]

In what countries did he fight? Guatemala? Cuba, two times? Did he ever get shot?


EDIT: It was supposed to say: Castro and the wars he has fought

[Essential Insignificance]

To my knowledge, and I'm pretty certain, Castro never fought outside of Cuba, as his only "real concern" was his homeland Cuba.

You may be getting Fidel and Che mixed up I think, in regards to Guatemala. Che fought, on a "minor level" in Guatemala, before meeting Fidel and Rual in Mexico.

Castro, did, as you said -- launched two attacks on the Batista regime.

The first was an utter "catastrophe", launched on July 26, 1953, against the Moncada Barracks... although it would have send a "stern massage" to Batista, of what would be to come.

Over ninety, I believe, of the insurgences were killed, in the "failed" attempt; and Castro was, remarkably captured and sentenced to fifteen years "of hard time". But he was released two or three years latter -- a very silly mistake by the Batista regime, and went in to exile in Mexcio.

After training newly recruited insurgences in Mexico, Castro launched his second attack on the Batista regime.

And as they say: "the rest is history".

As for Castro being shot -- I'm fairly sure he wasn't. I'm not to sure, but I wouldn't of imaged that the "great leader" would have done all that much "face to face" fighting.

[Subversive Pessimist]

Thanks.

So Ernesto had his first baptism of fire in Guatemala? Do you have any info on how many men he had under his command, or any details?

[Essential Insignificance]

Thanks.

So Ernesto had his first baptism of fire in Guatemala? Do you have any info on how many men he had under his command, or any details?

No worries.

It's been awhile since I've been reading any works on the life of Che Guevara... but I think, I can remember enough to meet your requirements.

Following the year of his medical school graduation (1953), Che "set off" for another journey around the South American continent (I think he also planned on going to Asia and Europe)... never to return to his "native" country.

Guatemala at the time was governed by Jacodo Arbenz Guzman, a "populist", who was through various "reforms", trying to being about a equable society -- that favored the vast majority of inhabitants -- the peasants.

And in Guatemala, at time (obviously) Che eye witnessed the overthrowing of the Arbenz government -- by, you bet, an American backed military coup.

Subsequent the revolutionary coup Che volunteered rigorously to fight... but most surprisingly Arbenz asked his supporters to leave the country. But I think there were still some erratic battles... and I'm fairly certain that Che never exchanged fire, but instead utilized his medical capabilities.

So Che had no "real" part in Guatemala; and he certainly did not have any guerrillas under his command.

But I believe Che was short of "funds"-- and thus was not able to leave immediately; but fortunately for him he was able to reside at the Argentine embassy, which, I believed harbored other nationalities, including Mexicans -- Che's "fate" was now sealed.

[Agent provocateur]

Castro was in Colombia during El Bogotazo. When Gaitan was murdered by the conservatives Castro tried to raise a militia to take over police stations. I don't know all the details.

http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/gaitan/elsiglo11apr1982.htm

http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/gaitan/gaitan.htm

[Essential Insignificance]

Castro was in Colombia during El Bogotazo. When Gaitan was murdered by the conservatives Castro tried to raise a militia to take over police stations. I don't know all the details.

Well there you go.

[chebol]

Fidel was in Colombia to raise support for a youth/ student conference he was initiating to be held in Venezuela (now there's a coincidence. Everyone who can should get to the World Federation of Democratic Youth festival in Caracas next August. See you there!).
While in Bogota (the main purpose of which was to meet Gaitan), Gaitan was assassinated. Fidel took part in the uprising, at one point volunteering to single-handedly storm a police station. As it turns out, the police were on their side, and Fidel gladly handed over command- and the only rifle- to the locals. (He still stayed in the front line, however, and was close to the leadership at the time). The militia were organising themselves, Fidel just got involved. For a quick take on this, Fidel Castro- "My Early Years" contains an account of this, in the context of Fidel's student work. Part of this was his role in the abortive attempt to liberate the Dominican Republic from the dictator Trujillo.

Che actually escaped by the skin of his teeth into the Argentine Embassy (over the wall in the middle of the night), and was expelled to Mexico.

[revoevo]

Che never fought in Guatemala - he spent his time there applying for a government permit to practice medicine in Peten, and before the permit had arrived the government fell. Che ran out of Guatemala, and from there went to Mexico, where he didn't fight either.

Neither really "fought" before Cuba. Fidel was never shot, but to his credit he did take part in (read, take part, he didn't lead) several violent protests in Colombia.