Che Guevara

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna  ( 1928 – 1967 )  Born June 14, 1928, in Rosario, Argentina  Studied at the University of Buenos Aires  Political Activist in native Argentina, Guatemala, Bolivia and Cuba

Revolution For The Human Being “His commitment to the revolution is explained first of all by his desire to liberate humanity from the invisible cage in which society encloses men and women when they are condemned to remain only wolves to other men and women. Socialism (Communism) has no meaning – and cannot triumph – if it does not represent a project for civilization, a social ethic, a model of a society totally agnostic to the petty values of individualism, fierce egotism, competition, the war of all against all in a capitalist system. His approach to the revolution is above all a matter of human encounters.” (Olivier Besancenot and Michael Lowy, 32)

_______________________________________ Che Guevara and Fidel Castro In 1954, he met Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro and his brother Raul while in Mexico. Guevara became part of Fidel Castro's efforts to overthrow the Batista government in Cuba. He served as a military advisor to Castro and led guerrilla troops in battles against Batista forces. When Castro took power in 1959, Guevara became in charge of La Cabaña Fortress prison. It is estimated that between 156 and 550 people were executed on Guevara's extra-judicial orders during this time. Later, he became president of the Cuban national bank and helped to shift the country's trade relations from the United States to the Soviet Union. Three years later, he was appointed minister of industry. Guevara left this post in 1965 to export the ideas of Cuba's revolution to other parts of the world.

___________________________ “I don't know if the Cuban revolution will survive or not. It's difficult to say. But [if it doesn't]... don't come looking for me among the refugees in the embassies. I've had that experience, and I'm not ever going to repeat it. I will go out with a machine gun in my hand, to the barricades... I'll keep fighting to the end.” – Ernesto 'Che' Guevara

“The life of a human being is worth more than all the gold of the richest man on Earth”

Bolivia In 1966, he began to try to incite the people of Bolivia to rebel against their government, but had little success. With only a small guerrilla force to support his efforts, Guevara was captured and killed in La Higuera by the Bolivian army on October 9, 1967.

“If you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine.” – Ernesto Che Guevara

Since his death, Guevara has become a legendary political figure. His name is often equated with rebellion, revolution, and socialism. Others, however, still remember that he could be ruthless and ordered prisoners executed without trial in Cuba. Guevara's life continues to be a subject of great public interest and been explored and portrayed in numerous books and films, including The Motorcycle Diaries (2004).

Work Cited "Che Guevara Biography." Bio True Story (A&E Television Networks) (2011): 1. Web. 4 Apr Besancenot, Olivier. Che Guevara - His Revolutionary Legacy. New York: Print. "Ernesto 'Che' Guevara." IMDB (1990): 6. Web. 4 Apr CHE. Dir. Steven Soderbergh." Perf. Benicio Del Toro,. IFC Films: 2008, Film.