Communists: The Cult of Che

At his capture and summary execution last October by Bolivian soldiers, Cuban Guerrilla Ernesto (Che) Guevara became an instant martyr of the New Left. Fidel Castro's former second-in-command was the victim of his own botched insurgency, in which he failed to follow his own precepts for guerrilla warfare. Yet, in the seven months since his death, the Che legend has given rise to a cult of almost religious hero worship among radical intellectuals, workers and students across much of the Western world.

Placards proclaiming such slogans as "Che Is Alive" dot anti-Viet Nam...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!