Tamara Bunke

Haydée Tamara Bunke Bider (November 19, 1937 – August 31, 1967) was an Argentine-born East German revolutionary known for her involvement in leftist politics and liberation movements.

Born to communist parents, Bunke joined the Free German Youth at fifteen and later studied philosophy or political science at university. She was recruited as an interpreter for the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, where she met Che Guevara during his 1960 visit to Leipzig. In 1961, she moved to Cuba and participated in the Cuban literacy campaign and in the Federation of Cuban Women.

Bunke was recruited for the Bolivian Campaign, Che Guevara's guerrilla campaign aimed at sparking revolution across Latin America. Using the alias Tania, she infiltrated Bolivian high society and developed ties with President René Barrientos. In 1966, her cover was blown, leading her to join the armed guerrilla campaign. During this time, she was responsible for the food and monitoring radio communications. Bunke was killed in 1967 during an ambush by Bolivian Army Rangers while attempting to escape with a leg injury and fever.

After Bunke's death, the media reduced her to Guevara's romantic partner, while others as a femme fatale. Bunke has been honoured by many people in different fields, for example, in astronomy (2283 Bunke) and films (Che). Bunke has also been subject of claims that she was a triple agent and that had a extramarital relationship with Guevara.