Cubans treat man who killed Che

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2007-10-02 11:44am

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7023706.stm

Cuban doctors working in Bolivia have saved the sight of the man who executed revolutionary leader Che Guevara in 1967, Cuban official media report.

Mario Teran, a Bolivian army sergeant, shot dead Che Guevara after he was captured in Bolivia's eastern lowlands.

Cuban media reported news of the surgery ahead of the 40th anniversary of Che's death on 9 October.

Mr Teran had cataracts removed under a Cuban programme to offer free eye treatment across Latin America.

The operation on Mr Teran took place last year and was first revealed when his son wrote to a Bolivian newspaper to thank the Cuban doctors for restoring his father's sight.

But Cuban media took up the story at the weekend as the island prepares for commemorations to mark Che Guevara's death 40 years ago.

"Four decades after Mario Teran attempted to destroy a dream and an idea, Che returns to win yet another battle," the Communist Party's official newspaper Granma proclaimed.

"Now an old man, he [Teran] can once again appreciate the colours of the sky and the forest, enjoy the smiles of his grandchildren and watch football games."

Wounded

Che Guevara, who played a key role in the Cuban revolution of 1959, travelled to Bolivia in 1966 to start a social revolution.

But in October 1967, the Bolivian army, with assistance from the CIA, captured Guevara and his remaining fighters.

Che Guevara, wounded in the fighting, was taken to a schoolhouse in the village of La Higuera on 8 October where the soldiers debated what to do with him.

Mario Teran is reported to have drawn the short straw and been ordered to execute the captured guerrilla.

Che Guevara was killed on 9 October and his body taken to a hospital in nearby Vallegrande, where his corpse was paraded before the world's media.

In 1997 his remains were discovered, exhumed and returned to Cuba, where he was reburied.

I just found that ironic.

Kanastrous · Post by **Kanastrous** » 2007-10-02 11:46am

Oh, the irony.

Shroom Man 777 · Post by **Shroom Man 777** » 2007-10-02 01:02pm

You gotta give Cubans points for class, though.

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2007-10-02 01:14pm

Cubans have class.

It's just ironic that the guy who killed him was in such dire need of medical help that only Cuban doctors who operate free of charge for populace, could do it. Most of Latin America must be a shithole I guess.

CJvR · Post by **CJvR** » 2007-10-02 01:18pm

Why so surprised? Makes for nice PR

InFidel wanted to get rid of Che, who might have been a good revolutionary but sucked at actually running a country, and Che wanted to leave. ( Not that InFidel is much better )

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2007-10-02 01:39pm

Not that I'm surprised, just ironic... and yes, Che wasn't so well-versed in economy as he was in revolutionary warfare. He left to run guerilla warfare in Lat.America of his own will. Fidel as a leader actually is better than Che - he was able to keep his country from falling apart after the collapse of the USSR and show economic and industrial growth in the 200x with mutual trade agreements in LA and elsewhere after the COMECON collapse.

Eris · Post by **Eris** » 2007-10-02 02:56pm

So.... can this fellow confirm what Che's actual last words were then? There are a few different versions floating around there, and I'm curious to know which where the ones he actually said, if any of them.

Elaro · Post by **Elaro** » 2007-10-02 09:38pm

That is awesome. Love thy enemy, bitch!

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2007-10-02 09:46pm

Isn't that an old joke?

Castro creates his first government; asks who knows economics and Che raises his hand.

Later, after being given the Portfolio, Che is stunned. "What?! I thought you asked who was a Communist!"