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Support KPFK – Make a pledge at 818-985-5735, or online at www.kpfk.orgThis Saturday, June 14th, marks what would have been the 80th birthday of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, had he lived. Instead the legendary Argentine-born revolutionary was gunned down in Bolivia more than forty years ago. Che, who was instrumental in the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, was in Bolivia to foment armed revolution when he was captured and killed on October 9th, 1967 by CIA-trained government soldiers. Despite his death, Che Guevara’s presence has not subsided – indeed his life remains a political inspiration over the decades to many resistance movements across the world. His impact as one of the twentieth century’s most iconic figures continues to be dissected through various films, documentaries, books, and exhibits.

With commemorations of his 80th birthday taking place in various countries such as his native Argentina, Austria, and France, Che Guevara is once more in the news. In Cuba, his remaining children participated in an internet forum ahead of their father’s birthday, during which they denounced the commercialization of his image. Che’s daughter Aleida Guevara called the exploitation of her father’s likeness for commercial gain, “embarrassing,” and demanded respect. Camilo Guevara, who runs the Che Guevara Studies Center in Havana, Cuba, commented at the forum on Steven Soderbergh’s new epic biopic about Che that screened at this year’s Cannes Film festival. The younger Guevara welcomed the four and a half hour film, that won Benecio Del Torro best actor at the film festival, so long as it remained true to the spirit of his father.