The cult of Che…in Iraq?

For better or worse, Ernesto “Che” Guevara is a cult hero known around the world and whose image graces many items from t-shirts to massive futbol banners. For some Latin Americans, Che is revered as a mythical figure of the left.

However, what happens if the admiration for him is co-opted by sanguinary rebel groups in Iraq?

This seems to be the case according to a post published today by a New York Times’ news blog:

“A previously-unknown group is using Che’s image in leaflets announcing a ‘movement of Iraqi Communists and Marxists experienced in armed struggle, leftist Iraqi nationalists, and their supporters,’ according to Iraq Slogger.”

Not everyone on the Iraqi far left who invoke el Che believes in the terrorist insurgency, however; a spokesman for Iraq’s Communist Party claimed that their “nonviolent message” attracted “thousands of Iraqis” to the party’s anniversary services.

Links- TIME, Wikipedia, New York Times – The Lede

Image- Lonely Planet (Cuban propaganda billboard of Che Guevara)