RIP Che, but Not in His Tomb in Cuba

Guevara burial site not nearly as advertised, New Republic reports

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 31, 2007 3:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – Thousands came to Che Guevara's Cuban mausoleum in July to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the revolutionary’s death—but they were paying respects at the wrong resting place. A French journalist claims that Fidel Castro’s government never actually found the Argentine’s body—as was triumphantly announced 10 years ago—and instead buried an unknown body under Guevara’s name, the New Republic reports.

Several inconsistencies prove that the body relocated to Cuba on the 30th anniversary of Che’s death isn't his. Guevara was buried alone, naked and with amputated hands; the exhumed body was discovered in a mass grave, wearing a jacket and with hands intact. The journalist berated Castro over the fabrication, asserting his power is “built on the abolition of historical truth.”

A youth stands next to an image of Cuba's late revolutionary leader Ernesto 'Che' Guevara at a ceremony marking the anniversary of Guevara's death in Mexico City, Monday, Oct. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Eduardo... (Associated Press)

The purported tomb of revolutionary Che Guevera. (© Manuel Dohmen)

A photo of Enesto "Che" Guevara after his death is shown Wednesday Oct. 24, 2007 at the Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas. (AP Photo/ Heritage Auction Galleries) (Associated Press)

A member of a Sandinista labor union holds a Cuba's revolutionary leader Ernesto 'Che' Guevara flag during a demonstration in front of the National Assembly in Managua, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.(AP Photo/Esteban... (Associated Press)

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RIP Che, but Not in His Tomb in Cuba

Guevara burial site not nearly as advertised, New Republic reports

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Cuba Publishes Che's Battle Diaries

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RIP Che, but Not in His Tomb in Cuba

Guevara burial site not nearly as advertised, New Republic reports

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Fidel Castro • Cuba • mausoleum • martyr • Che Guevara • fabrication

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Cuba Publishes Che's Battle Diaries

New book gives revolutionary's account of fighting with Castro's men

Che's Pal on Epic '52 Motorcycle Trip Dies

Alberto Granado lived out his days teaching in Cuba

Miami Cubans Feud Over Havana Peace Concert

Cuban regime using Juanes, critics say

Man Wins $1B Judgment Against Castro, Guevara

Court finds revolutionaries responsible for GM dealer's 1959 suicide

From Cuba to Hollywood, Che a Caricature of Himself

For many, image of Che Guevara still resonates

About Us

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Newser By Users

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