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Revolutionary leader Che Guevara's daughter to visit Derry

Dr Aleida Guevara, daughter of Che Guevara
Dr Aleida Guevara, daughter of Che Guevara Dr Aleida Guevara, daughter of Che Guevara

A daughter of Cuba revolutionary leader Che Guevara is to visit Derry to view self-help projects in the city.

A doctor like her father, Aleida Guevara arrived in the city for a number of private engagements yesterday before attending a series of public events today.

Shot dead in 1967 by CIA-backed Bolivian soldiers, Che Guevara was one of the key leaders of the Cuban revolution along with Fidel and Raúl Castro.

Following his death at the age of 39 in 1967, Guevara quickly became a hero of the left. A picture of the bearded leader dressed in military fatigues and wearing his trademark beret was adopted as an icon of revolution by students all over the world.

Guevara’s daughter specialised in paediatrics before devoting her time to managing homes for refugees and children with disabilities. She now travels the world advocating debt relief for developing nations and campaigning for human rights.

Following an official meeting with Derry City and Strabane District Council today, Dr Guevara will travel to Derry’s Creggan as a guest of Creggan Enterprises. Conal McFeely of Creggan Enterprises said the organisation was “very honoured” that she was visiting the Ráth Mór centre.

“We are privileged to be hosting such a prestigious international human rights’ advocate on the 50th anniversary of the ascendancy of the civil rights’ movement in this city,” Mr McFeely said.

The Derry man said Dr Guevara’s work had a “profound influence for good” in the world.