Hundreds of thousands of Cubans lined the route of Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s last procession Tuesday as the bones of Cuba’s revolutionary hero were returned to the city of his greatest victory.
A military convoy carried the flag-draped wooden casket past signs echoing Guevara’s farewell message to Cubans: “Until forever, comandante.”
Tears welled in some eyes and children waved flags as Cubans saluted the man who has become an icon of the revolution and a symbol of revolt for leftists worldwide.
State radio broadcast bulletins every few minutes on the progress of the motorcade from Havana to Santa Clara. In 1958, he commanded the rebels’ capture of the city, a victory that drove dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile and secured Castro’s triumph.
From there, Guevara’s forces drove 180 miles west to Havana and joined Castro as he seized the capital in January 1959. Tuesday’s procession traced Guevara’s route in reverse.
The government gave workers time off and encouraged them to attend the procession in honor of the Argentine-born physician, which began at the Plaza of the Revolution in Havana.
Seven Russian jeeps painted military green carried the coffins of Guevara and those of six comrades, who were killed in a shootout in Bolivia in October 1967. Their remains recently were unearthed and returned here.
