Fidel Castro visited Bani on August 23, 1998, during the administration of President Leonel Fernandez. He toured Maximo Gomez Park, the birthplace of the *Generalisimo*—a hero of Cuban independence and an emblematic figure in the history of both nations. Yvan Pena, president of the Maximo Gomez Foundation, had the opportunity to interact with the Cuban leader during that visit, at a time when he was serving as governor of Peravia province in the country’s southern region.

In exclusive statements to Prensa Latina, Yvan Pena recounted how the then-president, Leonel Fernandez, spoke to Fidel about an unfulfilled dream: building a polytechnic institute in honor of Maximo Gomez.

“Don’t worry, Mr. President,” replied Fidel, who was already considering that aspiration despite the complex situation Cuba was facing at the time.

In that context, Fidel presented the city of Bani—through Pena—with a replica of Maximo Gomez’s saber.

“The Máximo Gómez Polytechnic has marked a turning point in education in Bani” stated Pena; more than three thousand young people from Bani and other parts of the country have graduated from the center, and its impact, he maintained, is reflected in both the students’ education and their families’ economies.

For this reason, Pena deemed it necessary to revisit the speech delivered by the statesman during that visit, particularly his reflections on the importance of education and preparing young people to face the future.

“We remember Fidel Castro with affection and admiration,” said the president of the Maximo Gmez Foundation.

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