By Baytoram Ramharack
Janet Jagan established a consistent, longstanding fraternal relationship with Marxist leaders, some extending outside the ambit and direct control of the Russian Soviets. In May 1960, for instance, she recalled, with excitement, a private meeting she held with a charming Latin American revolutionary leader, ‘Che’ Guevara: “…the most outstanding event…remains in my memory – my visit to ‘Che’ Guevara…While his face is firmly planted in my memory, I cannot recall a word of our conversation…”. Two years later, in August 1962, she felt extremely privileged to sit in private meetings with Chinese communist leaders, Mao Zedong and Chou-en-Lai. She found Chou, who chatted with her in English for two hours, to be a Marxist revolutionary with a “fascinating personality” who spoke to her “with great charm and ease.”
