Che Guevara poster vandalized at New Haven City Hall ‘Murderer’ scrawled on Che Guevara poster

The Spanish word for “murderer” is seen scrawled on a poster of Che Guevara at New Haven City Hall. The Spanish word for “murderer” is seen scrawled on a poster of Che Guevara at New Haven City Hall. Photo: EVAN LIPS — NEW HAVEN REGISTER Photo: EVAN LIPS — NEW HAVEN REGISTER Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Che Guevara poster vandalized at New Haven City Hall 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

NEW HAVEN >> David Greco, cofounder and executive director of ARTE Inc., said Wednesday he’s confident police will be able to identify the individual who vandalized one of the organization’s “Heroes & Icons” posters at City Hall earlier this week.

The unidentified vandal scrawled the word “asesino,” the Spanish word for “murderer,” in black ink atop the shoulder of the Argentine Marxist-Leninist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

Greco said a police report has been filed and City Hall security personnel are reviewing surveillance camera footage. The exhibit, which went up Sept. 22 to honor Hispanic History Month, includes approximately 40 posters depicting Latino historical figures.

“We’ve heard from a few people who complained about the Guevara poster,” Greco said. “But this exhibit is not just for heroes. It’s also for icons.”

Guevara, a guerilla leader, played a major role during the 1950s Cuban Revolution. The New Year’s Day 1959 overthrow of Cuban President Fulgencio Batista eventually ushered in a communist government headed by Fidel Castro. Various iconic depictions of Guevara have been used to identify with rebellion and far-left policies.

Greco said that no matter what people think of Guevara, he is an important historical figure.

“The idea was to have people look at these posters and decide for themselves what they think, especially Latino children,” Greco said. “Some say he’s a hero. Some say he’s an enemy. The goal is to get people talking.”

Greco said the exhibit cost a total of $8,000 to put together. The posters will be available for viewing at City Hall until Oct. 30.

“At a minimum whoever did this should be singled out and forced to pay to fix it,” Greco said.

For now a piece of masking tape conceals the “asesino” caption.

Greco said City Hall security believes the poster was vandalized sometime Monday.

“They said they’d take it down but I asked them to leave it,” Greco said about what ARTE Inc. elected to do with the vandalized poster.

Greco said he actually pushed to include Fidel Castro to be included in the “Heroes & Icons” exhibit but added that the ARTE Inc. board voted against it.

“The point is to let the people decide who are the enemies in this exhibit and who are not,” he said.

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