[NYTr] Cuban doctors restore sight of Che's killer

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

The Guardian - Oct 2, 2007
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2181484,00.html

Cuban doctors restore sight of Che's killer

by Rory Carroll, Latin America correspondent

The Bolivian soldier who executed Che Guevara 40 years ago has had his
sight restored by Cuban doctors, turning him into an unlikely
advertisement for the revolutionary's ideals.

Mario Teran entered history as the young army sergeant who was chosen
to execute the captured guerrilla on October 9 1967, an act which
marked him as a villain to those who revered Che. Almost four decades
later the ageing, retired executioner had his cataracts removed by a
Cuban-run medical programme which showcases the benefits of the
island's socialist revolution.

The ironic epilogue to Mr Teran's role in a great 20th century drama
was first revealed last year when his son wrote a letter to a Bolivian
newspaper, El Deber, to thank the doctors. Few people noticed, however,
until last weekend when Cuba's communist authorities trumpeted the news
as a propaganda coup on the eve of the anniversary of Che's death.

"Four decades after Mario Teran attempted to destroy a dream and an
idea, Che returns to win yet another battle," said Granma, the
Communist party's official newspaper. "Now an old man, he [Teran] can
once again appreciate the colours of the sky and the forest, enjoy the
smiles of his grandchildren and watch football games."

It was not immediately possible to reach Mr Teran or his son yesterday,
but an editor at El Deber, Leopoldo Vega, confirmed that the letter was
published last year.

Mr Teran was treated under Operation Miracle. Funded by Venezuelan
petro-dollars and staffed by Cuban doctors, it offers free eye
treatment to poor people across Latin America.