Remains of Che Guevara ally found

Published Wednesday, September 23, 1998, in the Miami Herald

Remains of Che Guevara ally found

LA PAZ, Bolivia -- (AP) -- The remains of ``Tania,'' a German-Argentine woman who died in combat in Ernesto ``Che'' Guevara's ill-fated guerrilla campaign in eastern Bolivia 31 years ago, have been identified by Cuban forensic experts.

The remains of Laura Gutierrez Bauer, also known as Tamara Bunke, were identified Monday. They were found last week in the Andean town of Vallegrande, 540 miles southeast of La Paz, where Guevara was executed by Bolivian troops after he was captured in 1967.

Tania, the only female combatant in the Cuban-sponsored guerrilla group, died before Guevara when the unit she was with was ambushed by the Bolivian army.

Family members have asked that her remains be taken to Cuba and buried in a tomb where 17 other rebels lie.

The remains of Guevara and other guerrilla fighters were found earlier this year on the Vallegrande airstrip.

Before joining the guerrilla army, Tania worked as a German-language teacher in La Paz while providing Guevara and his army logistical support.