It is also the birthplace of Ernesto "Ché" Guevara.

In the last fifteen years or so, coincidentally with the rise of leftist populism in Argentina and the rest of South America, there have been plenty of tributes to the figure of "Ché." All of these tributes are state-financed, one way or another. The most prominent is a 13-foot high statue placed in a public square.

Fundación Bases has its main headquarters in Rosario. Teaming up with the Naumann Foundation, we decided to launch a campaign to remove all the state tributes to "Ché" Guevara. We knew this would generate controversy but, honestly, we didn't expect the level of reaction that has occurred.

About the Man

So, who was this "Ché" Guevara? Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, globally known as "Ché", came from an aristocratic, though impoverished, family. He studied medicine and when he was about to finish university he took an initiatory trip across Latin America. In some of the places he visited he saw harsh realities and even exploitation. This part of his life made it to the big screen, starred by then Latin sensation Gael García Bernal.