Ernesto Che Guevara is one of the most prominent revolutionary figures of the 20th century. A native of Argentina, guerrilla fighter and Marxist theorist, Guevara was associated with independence movements across Latin America and beyond as one of the leaders of the Cuban Revolution. He was captured and executed in Bolivia on 9 October 1967.

Early Life and Education

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna was born on 14 June 1928 in Rosario, Argentina, into a middle-class family. His family provided an intellectual environment; his father, Ernesto Guevara Lynch, was an architect and businessman, while his mother, Celia de la Serna, was an activist known for her socialist views. He struggled with asthma from an early age. Guevara began his education in Rosario and later decided to study medicine at the University of Buenos Aires. After earning his medical degree in 1953, he embarked on a motorcycle journey across Latin America. This trip exposed him to widespread poverty, inequality and imperialist exploitation, laying the foundation for his revolutionary ideas. His travelogue, The Motorcycle Diaries, reflects the impact of this period.

Ideological Development and the Influence of Perón

Guevara’s early political views were shaped by the nationalist policies of Argentina’s political figure Juan Domingo Perón. In the 1950s, Guevara viewed Perón as a symbol of resistance against the United States and expressed this support in a letter to his father, writing, “Argentina is a desert of America and we must give Perón every possible support.” However, this nationalist perspective later deepened into Marxism-Leninism. The social injustices he witnessed during his travels across Latin America pushed him toward a stance opposed to capitalism and imperialism. During this time, his encounter with revolutionary movements in Cuba became a turning point in his life.

The Cuban Revolution

Guevara’s revolutionary career began in 1955 when he met Fidel Castro in Mexico. He joined Castro’s struggle against the Batista regime in Cuba following the failed Moncada Barracks attack. On 25 November 1956, Guevara arrived in Cuba aboard the yacht Granma. He participated in guerrilla warfare in the Sierra Maestra mountains, gaining experience in military strategy and propaganda. In 1958, he played a key role in the Battle of Santa Clara, which accelerated the collapse of the Batista regime. The revolution ended on 1 January 1959 with Batista’s flight from the country.

After the revolution, Guevara served at the National Institute of Agrarian Reform and oversaw literacy campaigns. He also played an active role in economic and industrialization policies, advocating for Cuba to move away from its dependence on sugar exports and to industrialize through projects such as steel factories. However, his views conflicted with the economic priorities of the Soviet Union; Khrushchev did not support these plans, citing Cuba’s lack of resources.

Post-Cuba and Global Struggle

In 1965, Guevara left Cuba to pursue revolutionary activities in Africa and Latin America. He first went to Congo, where he supported the insurgency led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila, but the effort failed due to logistical and coordination shortcomings. He then moved to Bolivia, where in 1966 he launched a guerrilla movement. Support from the local population and the communist party remained limited. On 8 October 1967, he was captured by the Bolivian army and executed the next day in Vallegrande. It is reported that before his execution, facing the firing squad, he shouted, “Long live the revolution!” His body was secretly buried, but in 1997 his remains were transferred to Cuba and reinterred in a monument tomb in Santa Clara.

Ideological Position and Criticisms

Guevara developed the “foco” theory by adapting Marxist theory to guerrilla warfare, arguing that a small revolutionary group could ignite revolution in rural areas. This strategy was questioned after its failure in Bolivia. His economic views were also controversial; his attempts to link rapid industrialization with socialism were seen by some as inconsistent with the fundamental principles of socialism. Executions and repressive policies implemented in post-revolutionary Cuba were associated with Guevara’s human rights record. In contrast, decisions such as the extradition of counter-revolutionaries to the United States revealed a pragmatic approach.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Guevara’s death transformed him into a globally recognized figure. His name was invoked during the youth movements of 1968 and in anti-imperialist struggles. The portrait taken by photographer Alberto Korda became an icon in popular culture. His books, Guerrilla Warfare and The Bolivian Diary, are regarded as key sources on revolutionary strategy. His legacy, tied to his stance against imperialism and his actions, remains a subject of debate.