Photo2

the finals day of che guevara

7 - 9 October 1967:
The combined units of Company A and the supporting units from Company B [a
combined force of 1,300 Bolivian men, tranined by US Special Forces and directed
by the CIA for the specific task of capturing Che Guevara. Che's guerilla squad
had 17 men.] moved into the area of the Churro Ravine using two squads of
Company A as a blocking force a few kms north of the small Geino Ravine. Cpt.
Prado set up his mortar section east of the Churro Ravine, with 3rd Platoon of
Company B to his rear in support, under the command of Sgt. Huauca. 1st Platoon
of Company A, under the command of Lt. Perez, entered the Churro Ravine to the
north at the confluence of two small streams. Lt. Perez initiated the pursuit
and began driving the guerrilla force south while Cpt. Prado's mortars shelled
the ravine. At this point a machine gun was brought up to also cover the ravine
and hold the left flank of Prado's mortar section and supporting troops. As the
1st Platoon of Company A pushed south they came under fire and lost 3 soldiers
immediately. Cpt. Prado then ordered Sgt. Huauca to move down the small Tuscal
Ravine and wait at the entrance of the Churro Ravine. The 3rd Platoon of Company
B carried out this order and after finding nothing, was ordered to enter the
Churro Ravine and gain pursuit in the direction of Lt. Perez's platoon. Sgt.
Huauca immediately encountered a group of 6 to 8 guerillas and opened fire. At
this point they killed "Anotondo" and "Orturo", two Cubans. Sgt. Huauca lost one
soldier here and another was wounded. "Ramon" (Guevara) and "Willy" tried to
break out in the direction of the mortar section. They were sighted by the
machine gun crew which took them under fire. "Ramon" (Guevara) was hit in the
lower calf and was helped by "Willy" [Sarabia] toward the Tuscal Ravine where
apparently they rested for a few minutes. They then moved north, directly in
front of Cpt. Prado who ordered several soldiers to chase them. Soldiers
Encinos, Cheques, and Balboa were the first Bolivians to lay hands on Guevara.
"Willy" and "Ramon" (Guevara) were later transported back to La Higueras with
Cpt. Prado and the elements of Companies A and B. The Bolivians did not remain
in position after nightfall. From 1900 hrs until 0400 hrs on the 9th, there were
no significant Bolivian troops in the area of the fire fight. This gave the
guerilla force ample time to escape the area, but either due to confusion after
the battle or poor evaluation of the situation by their leaders, the guerilla
force remained in the Churro Ravine.
On 30 October 67, at a small pavilion in La Esperanza, Bolivia, Lt. Ral.
Espinoza Lord, Company B, 2nd Ranger Bn, stated the following in regards to the
handling of Ernest "Che" guevara. Guevara and "Willy" were transported back to
La Hiqueras on the afternoon of the 8th, after the battle at the Churro Ravine.
Guevara had a slight wound in the lower calf, which was treated upon returning
to La Hiqueras. Lt. Espinoza talked at length with Guevara, though Guevara did
not reveal any pertinent information. Espinoza felt a high regard for Guevara as
a soldier and a man, and was anxious to know more of this "legendary figure".
Guevara answered all of his question[s] with remarks such as "perhaps" or
"possibly". Early in the morning of the 9th of October, the unit received the
order to execute Guevara and the other captives. Previously, Col. Santana,
Commander of the 8th Division, had given express orders to keep the prisoners
alive. The Officers involved did not know where the order originated, but felt
that it came from the highest echelons [A]. Cpt. Frado gave the order to execute
Guevara to Lt. Perez, but he was unable to carry out the order and in turn gave
it to Sgt. Terran, Company A. At this time Perez asked Guevara if there was
anything he wished before his execution. Guevara replied that he only wished to
"die with a full stomach". Perez asked him if he was a "materialist", by having
requested only food. Guevara returned to his previous tranquil manner and
answered only "perhaps". Perez then called him a "poor shit" and left the room.
By this time, Sgt. Terran had fortified his courage with several beers and
returned to the room where Guevara stood up, hands tied in front, and stated, "I
know what you have come for, I am ready." Terran looked at him for a few minutes
and then said, "No you are mistaken, be seated." Sgt. Terran then left the room
for a few moments.
"Willy", the prisoner taken with Guevara, was being held in a small house a few
metres away. While Terran was waiting outside to get his nerves back, Sgt.
Huauca entered and shot "Willy." "Willy" was a Cuban and according to the
sources had been an instigator of the riots among the miners in Bolivia. Guevara
heard the burst of fire in his room and for the first time appeared to be
frightened. Sgt. Terran returned to the room where Guevara was being held. When
he entered, Guevara stood and faced him. Sgt. Terran told Guevara to be seated
but he refused to sit down and stated, "I will remain standing for this." The
Sgt. began to get angry and told him to be seated again, but Guevara would say
nothing. Finally Guevara told him, "Know this now, you are [only] killing a
man." Terran then fired a burst from his M2 carbine, knocking Guevara back into
the wall of the small house.[B]

[A] Excerpt from The Death of Che Guevara, explaining Rodriguez's (the CIA agent
responsible for the tactical movements of Company A and B) role in Che's
execution:
Although he apparently was under CIA instructions to "do everything possible to
keep him alive," Rodriguez transmitted the order to execute Guevara from the
Bolivian High Command to the soldiers at La Higueras — he also directed them not
to shoot Guevara in the face so that his wounds would appear to be
combat-related [to cover up the illegal execution without trial] — and
personally informed Che that he would be killed. After the execution, Rodriguez
took Che's Rolex watch, often proudly showing it to reporters during the ensuing
years.
[B] An alternative version of these events, as told by CIA Agent Felix
Rodriguez, who ordered Che's execution:
1:30 p.m.: Che's final battle commences in Quebrada del Yuro. Simon Cuba (Willy)
Sarabia, a Bolivian miner, leads the rebel group. Che is behind him and is shot
in the leg several times. Sarabia picks up Che and tries to carry him away from
the line of fire. The firing starts again and Che's beret is knocked off.
Sarabia sits Che on the ground so he can return the fire. Encircled at less than
ten yards distance, the Rangers concentrate their fire on him, riddling him with
bullets. Che attempts to keep firing, but cannot keep his gun up with only one
arm. He is hit again on his right leg, his gun is knocked out of his hand and
his right forearm is pierced. As soldiers approach Che, he shouts, "Do not
shoot! I am Che Guevara and worth more to you alive than dead." The battle ends
at approximately 3:30 p.m. Che is taken prisoner....
Rodriguez enters the schoolhouse to tell Che of the orders from the Bolivian
high command. Che understands and says, "It is better like this ... I never
should have been captured alive." Che gives Rodriguez a message for his wife and
for Fidel, they embrace, and Rodriguez leaves the room.