Move to Buenos Aires
The Guevara family moves to Buenos Aires, where Ernesto later studies medicine.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Ernesto "Che" Guevara Biography and Timeline
Follow Ernesto "Che" Guevara through 130 dated historical records for Argentina.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
130Distinct records
1 of 4Page
1947–1957Years on this page
1947
1950
Motorized Bicycle Journey
Guevara makes a long solo journey through northern Argentina on a bicycle fitted with a small motor.
1951
Motorcycle Journey Departure
Guevara and Alberto Granado begin their South American journey on the Norton motorcycle La Poderosa II.
1952
Arrival in Lima
Guevara and Granado reach Lima, where they meet doctors and continue studying public health conditions.
Meeting with Hugo Pesce
Guevara meets physician and Marxist Hugo Pesce, whose ideas and medical work make a strong impression on him.
Mambo-Tango Raft Journey
Patients at San Pablo give Guevara and Granado a raft named Mambo-Tango for their onward journey down the Amazon.
Work at San Pablo Leper Colony
Guevara and Granado volunteer at the San Pablo leper colony on the Amazon in Peru.
Arrival in Caracas
Guevara reaches Caracas near the end of his 1952 South American journey and separates from Alberto Granado.
Return to Buenos Aires
Guevara returns to Argentina after the 1952 journey and resumes the remaining work for his medical qualification.
La Poderosa II Abandoned
After repeated mechanical failures, Guevara and Granado abandon their motorcycle in Chile and continue by other transport.
Visit to Chuquicamata
Guevara and Granado visit the Chuquicamata copper-mining region during their journey through Chile.
1953
Medical Diploma
The University of Buenos Aires issues Guevara's medical diploma after completion of his medical studies.
Second Latin American Journey
Guevara leaves Argentina again to travel through Latin America after completing his medical studies.
Visit to Revolutionary Bolivia
Guevara visits Bolivia and observes the political and social aftermath of the 1952 Bolivian Revolution.
Arrival in Guatemala
Guevara arrives in Guatemala during the reform government of President Jacobo Arbenz.
Contacts with Moncada Survivors
In Costa Rica, Guevara meets Cuban exiles connected with the failed Moncada Barracks attack.
1954
Meeting with Nico Lopez
Guevara meets Moncada veteran Nico Lopez, strengthening his contacts with Cuban revolutionary exiles.
CIA-backed Invasion of Guatemala
Guevara is in Guatemala when forces backed by the CIA invade against President Jacobo Arbenz's government.
Resignation of Jacobo Arbenz
Guevara witnesses the crisis surrounding Jacobo Arbenz's resignation after the externally backed invasion.
Arrival in Mexico City
Guevara reaches Mexico City after leaving Guatemala and begins rebuilding contacts with Cuban exiles.
Medical Work in Mexico
Guevara finds medical and research work in Mexico City while maintaining contact with political exiles.
1955
Allergy Research Publication
Research associated with Guevara's allergy work is published while he is working in Mexico.
Meeting with Raul Castro
Nico López introduces Ernesto Guevara to Raúl Castro in Mexico City before Guevara's later meeting with Fidel Castro.
Meeting with Fidel Castro
After meeting Raúl Castro, Guevara meets Fidel Castro in Mexico City and joins the Cuban expeditionary group preparing to fight Batista.
1956
Arrest by Mexican Police
Mexican police arrest Guevara with other members of the Cuban expeditionary group preparing to sail for Cuba.
Release from Mexican Detention
Guevara is released after weeks in Mexican detention and resumes preparations for the expedition to Cuba.
Granma Departure
Guevara sails from Tuxpan aboard the Granma as a member and physician of the expeditionary force led by Fidel Castro.
Granma Landing
Guevara lands in eastern Cuba with the Granma expedition and joins the surviving rebels moving toward the Sierra Maestra.
Granma Landing at Las Coloradas
The Granma expedition lands on Cuba's southern coast after a difficult crossing from Mexico.
Reunion with Fidel Castro
Guevara's surviving group reunites with Fidel Castro's group and moves deeper into the Sierra Maestra.
1957
Battle of La Plata
Guevara participates in the Rebel Army's successful attack on the La Plata army outpost.
Ambush at Arroyo del Infierno
Guevara participates as the rebels ambush government troops at Arroyo del Infierno.
Battle of El Uvero
Guevara participates prominently in the rebel attack on the El Uvero army post, one of the guerrillas' important early offensive actions.
Battle of El Uvero
Guevara fights in the attack on the fortified El Uvero garrison, a major early Rebel Army victory.
Promotion to Commander
Fidel Castro promotes Guevara to commander and places him in charge of a newly organized rebel column in the Sierra Maestra.
Promotion to Commander
Fidel Castro promotes Guevara to commander and places him in charge of the newly established Column 4.
Attack on Bueycito
Guevara's forces attack the army post at Bueycito during the expansion of rebel operations in Oriente.
Ambush at Pino del Agua
Guevara's column ambushes government forces at Pino del Agua in the Sierra Maestra.
El Cubano Libre Publication
Guevara helps establish and edit the rebel newspaper El Cubano Libre at the El Hombrito base.
El Hombrito Supply Base
Guevara establishes a permanent rebel base at El Hombrito to support operations in the Sierra Maestra.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.