Che Guevara

The midday sun beat down brutally on the arid mountains of Vallegrande. The air smelled of dry earth, gunpowder, and sweat. A small group of Bolivian Army soldiers, supported by American advisors, had just surrounded a narrow ravine where the last guerrillas were hiding.

“Stop! Stop right there! You’re surrounded! Drop your weapons or we’ll shoot!” Terán said.

“Che Guevara! Don’t move! You’re surrounded. I’m Captain Felix Rodriguez, of the CIA. You’re under arrest by the Bolivian government,” Felix said, pointing a gun at him.

After securing him, the three men force Che to walk uphill, out of the ravine. Mario and Gary practically drag him along because his leg wound makes it difficult for him to move easily. Felix goes ahead, clearing the way and keeping watch. They arrive at the small rural adobe school of La Higuera as evening begins to fall. It is a humble, one-room building with a corrugated iron roof and dirty white walls. Inside, there are two empty classrooms, old desks, and a smell of earth and old wood.

The Bolivian soldiers guarding the town greet them with nervous glances.

“Here. Take him to the back room. Tie him to one of the big desks. Make sure he can’t move,” Felix said.

“Come on, commander… don’t resist. We’re almost there.” Terán said, holding him tightly.