HAVANA Cuba. – The annihilation of the rearguard group commanded by Vitalio Acuna, Joaquin, on August 31, 1967, was one of the hardest moments for the Che guerrilla in Bolivia.

After five in the afternoon, eight of the ten combatants were massacred in the area known as Vado del Puerto de Mauricio, at the confluence of rivers Grande and Masicuri: Vitalio Acuna, Gustavo Machin and Israel Reyes (all Cubans), and Latin Americans Tamara Bunke, Apolinar, Walter, Moises and Freddy.

A betrayal dyed the Masicuri River with blood of men who represented the hope of justice and freedom for our peoples.

Eyewitnesses assured the guerrillas were killed while crossing the river, without being able to defend themselves from an ambush resembling a horrible killing machine.

A Hard Blow for Che Guerrilla

When referring to the rearguard troop headed by Vitalio Acuna, Che wrote down in his diary: It was, without a doubt, the worst month we have ever had since the beginning of the war. And he added on September 2: The radio gave an ugly news about the annihilation of a group of ten men led by a Cuban named Joaquin.

That group of rearguard had split from Che since April, with the mission of meeting again later, what did not happen. Guerrilla actions had a great repercussion in Bolivia and the hyenas of CIA instructed from Washington and the army traced the area of operations.

Che and his men marched up towards immortality and settled an example of light in the battle for justice and freedom, which mankind reverences today with respect, admiration and commitment.