why was che Guevara such a controversial person?

He had faith in his communist beliefs, and gave up quite a bit to get his beliefs established. Even though he didn't succeed while he was alive, his communist ideologies are taking hold in South America. You must respect him for his courage, even if you don't share his ideology.

He was a very committed Communist. Despite what people think he wasn't Cuban. He was from Argentina. However he believed in transcending national borders and the pursuit of a one world Communist dream.

So he was controversial as not only did he fight on the Communist side, he was a volunteer from outside the country. Instead of doing what most people would expect and keeping his nice cushioned government job after the revolution he went to organise Communist gorillas in Bolivia.

He is remembered now mostly in the picture of him which you find all over the world.

Ask people what it means and most will say it shows defiance and strength. Less will be able to tell you who the picture is of. That doesn't matter so much as now the picture is an icon.

As well as taking part in the Cuban Revolution, he tried to spread socialism throughout south-america.

Everyone sees the t-shirt with the picture of him in his beret and thinks of him as a cool revolutionary. However, there are photos of him playing soccer and relaxing on the golf course with Cuban President Fidel Castro, like any middle class guy.

Probably had a great publicist. Had to.

He was on the outs with Castro. He failed on his mission in Africa. He failed on his mission in South America and he was shot down like a dog.

Hard to say why people still remember him.

in his "Message to the Tricontinental", he writes of "hatred as an element of struggle; unbending hatred for the enemy". Those who don't understand his ideology thinks him controversial

He led a communist revolution, for one.

Is he ?