CUBAN state employees who created two colognes named after Ernesto “Che” Guevara and Hugo Chavez face discipline, Havana said on Saturday.

Test bottles of fragrances named Ernesto and Hugo had been produced by state pharmaceutical company Labiofam with the aim of selling them at home and abroad.

“Symbols are sacred, yesterday, today and forever,” said the Council of Ministers executive committee, which is headed by President Raul Castro.

“Initiatives of this type will never be accepted by our people or by the revolutionary government.”

Mr Guevera’s image has been constantly misappropriated for products as diverse as clothing, spirits and cars, running into objections from his family.

Labiofam officials said that they saw the colognes as a respectful homage to the revolutionary heroes, insisting that the two men’s families had approved the project — although that was disputed by the state announcement.

It remains unclear what “disciplinary measures” may be taken against the creators.