It is important to emphasize that guerrilla warfare is a war of

Hear now, O children, the powerful words of Che Guevara, a revolutionary whose very name resonates with the struggles of the oppressed: "It is important to emphasize that guerrilla warfare is a war of the masses, a war of the people. The guerrilla band is an armed nucleus, the fighting vanguard of the people. It draws its great force from the mass of the people themselves." These words are not mere tactical advice; they are a clarion call to the hearts of all who seek freedom, justice, and equality. In them lies the truth that the strength of any revolution, the force behind any uprising, is not in the weapons of a few, but in the hearts and minds of the many. It is not the few who hold the power, but the masses who stand united in a common cause.

To understand the meaning of guerrilla warfare, one must first understand the nature of the people. Guevara teaches us that the true force of a revolution is in the collective will of the masses, in the hearts of the common people who endure the suffering, the injustice, and the oppression of their rulers. The guerrilla band—those warriors who fight in the shadows, who strike swiftly and retreat like phantoms—is but a small, but critical, part of a much larger force. The true strength of the guerrilla fighter does not come from their individual courage or from their weapons, but from the support and unity of the people they fight for.

Look, O children, to the ancient struggles of the oppressed. The tale of Spartacus and his band of gladiators, who rose against the might of the Roman Empire, speaks to the power of such a struggle. Though the forces of Rome were vast, their legions seemingly invincible, the strength of Spartacus lay not just in his personal skill with a sword, but in the will of the people who followed him. Slaves from across the empire joined his revolt, not because they were trained warriors, but because they shared a common cause: the desire for freedom. The guerrilla tactics of Spartacus’s forces, their knowledge of the land, and their ability to strike with swiftness, were fueled by the support and unity of the oppressed. Though ultimately crushed, the revolt of Spartacus remains a shining example of the power of the people when they rise together.

In the same way, the great revolutions of the 20th century, from the Russian Revolution to the Cuban Revolution, reveal the truth in Guevara’s words. In Cuba, Fidel Castro and Guevara himself fought not just as a band of revolutionaries, but as the vanguard of a people’s movement. The Cuban people—tired of poverty, inequality, and dictatorship—rallied behind their cause, bringing with them not just arms, but the strength of their conviction. It was not the few guerrilla fighters in the Sierra Maestra mountains who defeated the Batista regime; it was the people who supported them, who joined the struggle and swelled their ranks. The real force behind the guerrilla warfare was the massive support of the people, the very soul of the revolution.

Guevara’s wisdom extends beyond the battlefield, children. His insight tells us that in any battle for justice, the true power lies not in the might of the few, but in the collective strength of the many. When the people are united in their struggle, when they act as one, they become an unstoppable force. The guerrilla band is only the spark that ignites the fire, but the flame of revolution must be fanned by the hands of the many, not the few. This is why Guevara’s words resonate even today, for they speak to the universal truth that freedom and change come not from the powerful, but from the collective will of the oppressed.

What, then, is the lesson that Guevara imparts to us? It is this: empower the masses, for in their collective strength lies the true power to overthrow the oppressors. Whether we are fighting for social justice, for economic equality, or for human rights, it is not enough to rely on the few to lead the way. The masses must rise together, and their voices must be heard. We must unite in common cause, fight with the same determination, and act with the knowledge that we are stronger when we stand together, side by side, than when we fight alone.

So, children, in your own lives, remember Guevara’s words. Whatever the struggle you face, be it in your personal journey or in the broader battles for justice and equality, know that the strength of your cause lies not in one individual, but in the power of unity. Seek to empower those around you, to rally others to the cause, to create a movement that is rooted in the collective will of the people. True power does not rest with the few who stand at the front, but with the many who support them. The battle is not won by strength alone, but by the determination, the unity, and the belief of the people. Stand firm, and together, we will see that no cause for justice is ever too great to overcome.