The following story is generating quite a lot of controversy, especially in Miami where the story originated. There is no doubt about the historical significance of Che Guevara, and the status he has gained as a cultural icon, but this whole thing borders on the macabre:
Relics of Che Guevara’s capture and death for sale
Sep. 03, 2007
BY LUISA YANEZ
lyanez@MiamiHerald.com
“The Miami exile who helped capture and bury Che Guevara is auctioning a lock of the rebel’s hair he has kept secret and under lock and key for 40 years.
The Miami exile who led the mission to capture Ernesto Che Guevara in the jungles of Bolivia is auctioning a treasure trove of memorabilia from the iconic figure’s last days.”
Also included as part of the lot is:
“- The original map used by Villoldo and the Bolivian army to hunt down Che and his band of rebels, including the famed Tania. All had come to Bolivia to spark another Cuban-style revolution.
– Telegrams Villoldo received from then-Bolivian President Rene Barrientos about the progress of the mission.
– Photographs of a dead, shirtless Che on display in a laundry room sink in Bolivia. Prints and copyrights are included.
– Intercepted messages between Che and his rebels, which eventually led to their deaths after gun battles with the Bolivian army.
– And one of two sets of Che’s fingerprints taken before burial. Villoldo kept one; Cuba has the other. Che’s hands were eventually severed to prevent Cuba from identifying him easily.”
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