The kidnapper of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, a former Bolivian general, has died at the age of 84.
Gary Prado Salmon was named a National Hero in Bolivia after leading the military operation to capture and execute the revolutionary in the country in 1967.
Alongside Fidel Castro, Guevara was a major leader of Cuba’s communist movement and was shot a day after his capture on the orders of the then right-wing Bolivian military government.
Mr. Salmon’s team, known as the Bolivian Rangers, was trained by the US Green Berets, who were asked to prepare locals for a fight against guerrilla tactics in the region.
Since 1981, Mr. Salmon had been in a wheelchair, having been accidentally shot in the spine by another officer.
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Writing on social media, Mr Salmon’s son, Gary Prado Arauz, wrote: “He was accompanied by his wife and children.
“He left us a legacy of love, honesty and courage. He was an incredible person.”
He added: “For him, capturing Che was not the most important thing he did in his life – rather it was to help make the armed forces a democratic institution that would respect the constitution and the laws. .”
The former general had been hospitalized since April for health complications and was receiving treatment.
