Subcomandante Marcos

Born Rafael Sebastián Guillén Vicente, this enigmatic figure burst onto the world stage on January 1, 1994, leading an indigenous uprising in Chiapas. With a ski mask, a pipe, and a penchant for poetic pronouncements, he became the face of a movement fighting for indigenous rights and against globalization, proving that a philosopher can indeed lead a revolution, or at least a very articulate armed rebellion.

Despite the romantic allure and widespread media attention, Marcos remained largely anonymous, his true identity a subject of speculation for years. When his actual name was revealed, it turned out he wasn't a radicalized peasant but a former philosophy professor from a middle-class family. This revelation perhaps explains the surprisingly literary quality of his communiqués, which often read more like manifestos than military orders.

While his anti-neoliberal stance and calls for social justice resonated with many, there's no indication whatsoever of any Jewish heritage or personal identification. His focus has always been firmly rooted in indigenous Mexican identity and Marxist-leaning revolutionary thought, making him about as Jewish as a plate of enchiladas. He later "retired" as Marcos, reappearing as "Subcomandante Galeano" in 2014, perhaps to avoid the awkwardness of being an aging icon, or simply to keep everyone guessing.