Latin American revolutionary. Guevara, Che, pronounced gay VAH rah, chay (1928-1967), was one of the most powerful members of the Cuban government under Fidel Castro. He served as minister of industry from 1961 to 1965 and directed much of the government's economic planning. Guevara was killed while leading a guerrilla band trying to overthrow the government of Bolivia. Guevara was born in Rosario, Argentina. His real name was Ernesto Guevara, but most people called him by his nickname, Che. Guevara received an M.D. degree from the University of Buenos Aires. Guevara became a revolutionary because he believed that armed struggle was the only way to improve social conditions and eliminate poverty.