The day Che Guevara went to New York to criticize the US at the UN

For many, it was the main moment when the United Nations General Assembly podium in New York became a space for strong criticism of the policies of the host country, the United States. On December 11, 1964, Argentine doctor and guerrilla leader Ernesto Che Guevara (1928-1967), as Cuba’s Minister of Industry, spoke to leaders from around the world. In his studies on globalization, Spanish-born Moroccan journalist and sociologist Ignacio Ramonet often situates the historic address as the moment when Guevara became a globally recognized figure, seen as a ‘Third World ambassador’. The United Nations (UN) is indeed a stage with far-reaching spotlights. ‘Imperialism wants to turn this meeting into a vague oratory contest instead of solving the serious problems of the world,’ said Guevara. ‘We must prevent that.’