A Bolivian lawmaker is advocating for the removal of Ernesto "Che" Guevara's name and image from monuments, public squares, parks, schools, and other public facilities across the country. The proposal also seeks to officially designate him as an "enemy of the nation and the Plurinational State."
The initiative was introduced by Congressman Manolo Rojas of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), alongside activist Denis Vallejos, as confirmed by Bolivia's Chamber of Deputies on October 8.
This push is part of two legislative bills aimed at revising the public acknowledgment of Guevara and honoring Bolivian military personnel and fighters who opposed his guerrilla campaign in Ñancahuazú in 1967.
The proposal seeks to eliminate tributes to the Argentine-Cuban revolutionary from state-controlled spaces, including monuments, educational institutions, and other infrastructures where his name or image is displayed.
“One of the bills is essentially declarative, intended to erase the stain and the insidious ideology that has been instilled in us over the past 20 years,” Rojas stated during the proposal's presentation.
Controversy Over Monuments
Rojas highlighted the monument dedicated to Che Guevara in the city of El Alto, questioning its place in public institutions, which, he argues, should not promote symbols associated with a particular political ideology.
According to the Bolivian newspaper Correo del Sur, Rojas argued that Guevara's guerrilla activities led to Bolivian casualties and aimed to establish a political system in the country similar to Cuba's.
The legislator also criticized the use of slogans linked to the Cuban Revolution, such as "Homeland or Death," within the Bolivian Armed Forces during the administrations of the Movement for Socialism (MAS).
Recognizing National Heroes
Vallejos advocated for replacing Che Guevara's tributes with recognitions of national historical figures, especially those connected to popular and mining struggles. Suggested names include Domitila Barrios de Chungara, Filemón Escobar, and Juan Lechín Oquendo, whom the proponents consider more fitting to represent Bolivia's public spaces.
The Agencia de Noticias Fides (ANF) also reported Rojas's remarks, emphasizing that the proposal aims to prevent state institution symbols from being associated with a specific political orientation.
Honoring Anti-guerrilla Fighters
The second legislative proposal seeks to honor those Bolivians who took part in the anti-guerrilla campaign of Ñancahuazú as "heroes of the nation," both the surviving participants and those who died in battle.
The initiative includes provisions for a lifetime pension for surviving veterans and the construction of commemorative mausoleums in general cemeteries to preserve their memory.
According to the bill's supporters, 18 veterans from that campaign are still alive today. Vallejos noted that many of them are over 80 years old and face economic hardships, advocating for material recognition comparable to that given to other Bolivian war veterans.
Legacy and Controversy
This debate is closely tied to one of the most well-known episodes in Che Guevara's history. In 1967, the guerrilla leader spearheaded an armed insurgency in Bolivia with the goal of spreading revolution across Latin America.
The campaign concluded with his capture by Bolivian soldiers on October 8 of that year near La Higuera, followed by his execution the next day. Guevara's death transformed him into a symbol for revolutionary movements, though his legacy remains contentious due to his involvement in armed struggle and the repressive apparatus of the Cuban Revolution.
The controversy over Che's tributes extends beyond Bolivia. In May 2026, Cuban exiles in Spain requested the removal of a monument dedicated to the guerrilla in Badalona, citing his association with political repression and executions tied to the Cuban regime.
Previously, in July 2025, statues of Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara were removed from a park in Mexico City after local authorities cited installation irregularities and received complaints from residents.
Questions About Che Guevara's Legacy in Bolivia
Why does Manolo Rojas propose removing Che Guevara's monuments in Bolivia?
Manolo Rojas argues that Che Guevara's guerrilla activities led to Bolivian casualties and aimed to establish a political system in the country similar to Cuba's. He believes public institutions should not promote symbols tied to a specific political ideology.
What does the second legislative proposal entail?
The second proposal seeks to honor Bolivians who participated in the anti-guerrilla campaign of Ñancahuazú as "heroes of the nation," offering them a lifetime pension and constructing commemorative mausoleums to preserve their memory.
Who are some figures suggested to replace Che Guevara's tributes in Bolivia?
Suggested figures include Domitila Barrios de Chungara, Filemón Escobar, and Juan Lechín Oquendo, who are considered more fitting representations for Bolivia's public spaces due to their roles in popular and mining struggles.