Che and Argentina

[kroony]

I recently read Che's motorcycle diaries, and came across this passage (paraphrased)

"We went to see a doctor friend of mine, who had joined the Party [presumably the Peronists] with all the priveleges that entailed.... later we met Alberto's friend a man equally devoted to his own party -- the Radicals. But I was as far from one as from the other.

How did Che's view of Peron shape his life? Did he disapprove of Peron? And what is radicalism in this context?

[Severian]

The Radical Party is one of the major capitalist parties of Argentina. I don't think the name means a whole lot in practice.

The question about Peronism's an interesting one...hope somebody knows the answer.

[pandora]

Guevara was 18 when Peron came to power Che him "El Capo" for Peron's Machiavellian tendencies. Still according to Lee Che recognized the need for Peron's strong stance in creating a nationalistic stance and seperating from colonization. Peron did try to identify with Nehru whose book "The Discovery of India" came out in 46. Che would later meet with Nehru.

I think Che learned a lot militarily from Peron as far as Lee writes, "Knowing the mood of the people, knowing who his real friends and enemies were-and knowing when to act...strong leadership and a wilingness touse force to meet one's goals. Also the need to focus on industrialization to lieberate from capitalist imperialism, but he disagreed with him in theories and ethics.

Che was open to Leftist opposition and attended a "fede" meeting,but walked out in disgust. Collegues said Che seemed more involved with ethics over politics at that time. He joined a Peronist youth group just to get access to the library, and told his maids to vote for Peron as his policies would help their "social class' [Jon Lee Anderson]

[Take the Power back]

Guevara liked Peron only in that he was not dependant on the U$, like most of the other South America/Central American countries. At least, not until the end of of his reign.