Che
guevara
Cuba's Freedom Fighter
Che
guevara (1928-1967), was one of the most powerful members of the Cuban government under Fidel Castro. He
was minister of industry from 1961 to '65 and was heavily involved in much of the government's economic planning. Guevara was killed
by the Bolivian Military while leading a guerilla uprising to try and overthrow the
Bolivian Government
Guevara was born in Rosario, Argentina. His real name was Ernesto Guevara Lynch De la Syrna, but he was more popularly known by his nickname, Che. Guevara received an M.D. degree from the University of Buenos Aires. Guevara revolutionary ideas stemmed from a belief that militant struggle was the only way to end poverty and increase standard of living conditions.
In 1954, Guevara held a minor post in the government of Guatemala. That year the Guatemalan government was overthrown, Che fled to Mexico. This time in Mexico was when Guevara met Fidel Castro and joined his movement to overthrow Batista and the government of Cuba.
Guevara was the military commander in Castro's guerrilla forces in Cuba during the late 1950's. When Castro gained control of Cuba in 1959, he appointed Guevara as the president of the National Bank of Cuba. At this time (At the height of his power in Cuba) Che vanished and later resurfaced as the leader of a band of Bolivian guerillas . He has since become a hero to many people who regard him as an idealist and a hero of the people.