Luke LaManna

His dream was that revolution in Bolivia would be the spark that ignited communist uprisings across the continent, including in Guevara's native Argentina. Such a massive revolution could take years, but only if his plan actually worked this time. The previous year, he had tried to start a revolution in the Congo, but the mission had ended in disaster and he was back in Cuba in a matter of months.

His dream was that revolution in Bolivia would be the spark that ignited communist uprisings across the continent, including in Guevara's native Argentina. Such a massive revolution could take years, but only if his plan actually worked this time. The previous year, he had tried to start a revolution in the Congo, but the mission had ended in disaster and he was back in Cuba in a matter of months.

As Castro wrapped up another story, Guevara rubbed his hand over the top of his head. He still wasn't used to feeling the smoothness of his scalp. As part of his disguise, a specialist from Cuba's intelligence services had personally plucked hairs one by one from Guevara's scalp.

As Castro wrapped up another story, Guevara rubbed his hand over the top of his head. He still wasn't used to feeling the smoothness of his scalp. As part of his disguise, a specialist from Cuba's intelligence services had personally plucked hairs one by one from Guevara's scalp.

International intelligence agencies, including the CIA, were desperate to know where Guevara was, so he was traveling to Bolivia undercover as a middle-aged businessman with a receding hairline. Between the thinning hair and the thick black glasses he wore, he was unrecognizable. Even his own daughters had been fooled by his appearance. Guevara checked his watch and leapt from the table.

International intelligence agencies, including the CIA, were desperate to know where Guevara was, so he was traveling to Bolivia undercover as a middle-aged businessman with a receding hairline. Between the thinning hair and the thick black glasses he wore, he was unrecognizable. Even his own daughters had been fooled by his appearance. Guevara checked his watch and leapt from the table.

He'd gotten so wrapped up in all the tales of his glory days with Castro, he'd lost track of the time. He needed to go to the airport now or he would miss his flight. Castro stood up and the two men hugged. Then they just looked at each other until Guevara couldn't bear it any longer. Overwhelmed by sadness, he broke Castro's gaze and hurried into a car that was waiting for him.

He'd gotten so wrapped up in all the tales of his glory days with Castro, he'd lost track of the time. He needed to go to the airport now or he would miss his flight. Castro stood up and the two men hugged. Then they just looked at each other until Guevara couldn't bear it any longer. Overwhelmed by sadness, he broke Castro's gaze and hurried into a car that was waiting for him.

Once inside, he barked at the driver to hurry. It was time to lead the next revolution. A month later, in December 1966, Guevara was in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in southeastern Bolivia, training 24 men committed to overthrowing the government.

Once inside, he barked at the driver to hurry. It was time to lead the next revolution. A month later, in December 1966, Guevara was in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in southeastern Bolivia, training 24 men committed to overthrowing the government.

Their secret base camp was stocked with food and ammunition, and a network of comrades in the capital of La Paz were carrying messages to and from Guevara. Guevara had concerns about his rebel army. Of the 24 men under him, only nine were from Bolivia. This was supposed to be a Bolivian uprising, but there were more Cuban rebels in their small group.

Their secret base camp was stocked with food and ammunition, and a network of comrades in the capital of La Paz were carrying messages to and from Guevara. Guevara had concerns about his rebel army. Of the 24 men under him, only nine were from Bolivia. This was supposed to be a Bolivian uprising, but there were more Cuban rebels in their small group.

Guevara knew he needed more, at least 20 Bolivians. So in late December, he prepared to meet Bolivia's Communist Party leader, Mario Monge. With Monge's support, Guevara hoped he could recruit the remaining fighters he needed. When Monge arrived at their camp, Guevara led him to the forest to talk privately.

Guevara knew he needed more, at least 20 Bolivians. So in late December, he prepared to meet Bolivia's Communist Party leader, Mario Monge. With Monge's support, Guevara hoped he could recruit the remaining fighters he needed. When Monge arrived at their camp, Guevara led him to the forest to talk privately.

He pitched his vision that a Bolivian uprising was the first shot needed in a revolution that would bring down United States dominance over the continent forever. To Guevara, everything was riding on success in Bolivia. And that success was riding on Monge's support. But Monge had several demands.

He pitched his vision that a Bolivian uprising was the first shot needed in a revolution that would bring down United States dominance over the continent forever. To Guevara, everything was riding on success in Bolivia. And that success was riding on Monge's support. But Monge had several demands.

Guevara thought Monge should serve as the political leader of the movement, while Guevara would lead the military operations. But Monge wanted to be the military leader too. Guevara would not agree to that. They also argued over whether to work with Monge's rival political party, the Maoist Communist Party. Guevara thought they should, but Monge again disagreed.

Guevara thought Monge should serve as the political leader of the movement, while Guevara would lead the military operations. But Monge wanted to be the military leader too. Guevara would not agree to that. They also argued over whether to work with Monge's rival political party, the Maoist Communist Party. Guevara thought they should, but Monge again disagreed.

And he said that Bolivia wasn't ready for an armed revolution yet. The men debated for hours but got nowhere. And the next day, before Monge left, he told the nine Bolivians under Guevara that they should also leave the camp. He warned that if they stayed, they would be expelled from the Bolivian Communist Party, and their families would stop receiving stipends.

And he said that Bolivia wasn't ready for an armed revolution yet. The men debated for hours but got nowhere. And the next day, before Monge left, he told the nine Bolivians under Guevara that they should also leave the camp. He warned that if they stayed, they would be expelled from the Bolivian Communist Party, and their families would stop receiving stipends.