Even a week after I read the related piece, this biopsis (if I may coin a term for “biographic synopsis”) lingers on the mind:

Guevara, a physician with no formal military training, was also something else, critics say: prolific executioner, dogmatic totalitarian and co-designer of the Cuban police state and indoctrination apparatus.

The version in the Providence Journal made some minor, but important, editorial changes:

Guevara, with no formal military training, was a prolific executioner, dogmatic totalitarian and co-designer of the Cuban police state and indoctrination apparatus, say his critics.

I’ve little doubt that many who parade the villain’s face would accept the characterization with a smile. It all depends on who is being executed and with whom is trusted the totalitarianism.