Main Entry:  man·i·fes·to

Che Guevara's beliefs

1. The United States is an imperialist power that would oppose and attempt to destroy any government that sought to redress the socioeconomic inequality endemic to Latin America and other developing countries.
2. Armed revolution is the solution to social inequality.
3. Latin America is not made up of separate nations, but is a single entity requiring a continent-wide liberation strategy.
4. Ruthlessness [1] is required for the cause.
5. The media [2] is very important to the cause/struggle.

[1] As Guevara reconsidered his tactics, he imposed even more ruthless treatment as a strict disciplinarian whose harsh methods were already notorious among the rebel fighters. Deserters were severely punished as traitors, and Guevara was known to send execution squads to hunt down deserters seeking to escape. As a result, Guevara became feared for his brutality and ruthlessness. During the guerrilla campaign, Guevara was also responsible for the execution of a number of men accused of being informers, deserters or spies.

[2] Guevara was also instrumental in creating the clandestine radio station Radio Rebelde in February 1958. Radio Rebelde was utilized to broadcast news to the Cuban people, statements by the 26th of July movement, and provide radio telephone communication between the growing number of rebel columns across the island. Guevara had apparently been inspired to create the station by observing the effectiveness of CIA supplied radio in Guatemala in ousting the government of Jacobo Arbenz.

Listening to a Zenith Trans-Oceanic shortwave receiver are (seated from the left) Rogelio Oliva, José María Martínez Tamayo (known as "Mbili" in the Congo and "Ricardo" in Bolivia), and Guevara. Standing behind them is Roberto Sánchez ("Lawton" in Cuba and "Changa" in the Congo).