Che Guevara

Ernesto "Che" Guevara (June 14, 1928 - October 9, 1967) otherwise known as Che was an Argentine Guerrilla Revolutionary, politician, author, physician, and revolutionary military leader. After he was killed by the CIA in Argentina his name became extremely popular as a social and anarchist counterculture symbol worldwide.

Guevara first realized his revolutionary tendencies when he traveled through Latin America and witnessed the extreme poverty in the area. His travels transformed his beliefs in the current systems and economical institutions which led to so much poverty and death in places like Latin America. His experiences led him to believe that the economical inequalities and injustice were a result of capitalist government and economy, neoliberalism, and imperialism especially that of the United States.

His ideological beliefs have been argued many times as Marxist or state socialist. But in December of 1956 when he joined Fidel Castro in the 26th of July Movement we can clearly see he tends to favor a more socialistic revolution in which all capitalist institutions are abolished. His uncanny leadership skills helped him rise in popularity in the group, as many people favored him over others such as Castro who at the time were receiving influence from Mao of China and other state socialist executives.

Che's intentions were clear, he wanted to overthrow the United States-backed army dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista who at that time shifted his focus from the United States and their relations to revolutionary groups such as the 26th of July Movement. Che played a very vital role in the overthrow of Batista and was celebrated as a guerrilla warfare hero.

After the Cuban revolution Che was sent on a travel across the world as a Cuban diplomat to seek in the interest of social Cuba. After writing an acclaimed memoir of his journey through South America he led a failed revolutionary attempt in Congo and later Bolivia where he joined the National Liberation Army of Bolivia and was captured by the CIA and murdered as a threat to the United States government. Klaus Barbie, part of the US covert Gladio group, claimed credit for his death.

Mostly known for his opposition of the United States government and his ruthless guerrilla warfare style, Che stands as one of the most influential yet controversial figures in all of history. He died when he was 39.