Ramon Mercader: the murderer or the hero?

Do you like movies about superagents who perform secret missions, risking their lives? If yes, then this article is for sure you will like it! Today we learn about the biography of a Spanish spy, who became famous throughout the world. Whereby? Read below.

First meeting

The full name of our hero Jaime Ramon Mercader del Rio, but this did not prevent him from being known as Ramon Ivanovich Lopez. He was a secret agent of Soviet power in Spain. Everyone knows that it was he who was guilty of the death of Leon Trotsky. For this act he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Biography

Ramon Mercader was born in the winter of 1913 in a wealthy tycoon who owned the railroad in Barcelona. His name was Pau Mercader, and he was a Catalan. The boy's childhood years were spent in an incomplete family: he was brought up by one Karidad mother, a cub by birth. Mother and son did not feel the need, but lived separately in France. In the early 1920's, Ramon moved to Paris.

The future Hero of the Soviet Union Mercader Ramon in his youth was the head of the communist organization (Barcelona). However, his activities completely contradicted the authorities, so in 1953 a young man was arrested for communist propaganda and imprisoned in Valencia for several months. Later Ramon Mercader took part in the Spanish Civil War. He was on the side of the Republicans. After a while, the young man became a major. It is known that Ramon took part in the bloody battles near Guadalajara.

Famous cause

Mercader Ramon, whose biography was just starting to spin into an interesting spiral, turns out to be recruited by the NKVD of the USSR in 1937. This was due to his mother Karidad, who herself was an intelligence agent of the USSR. Soon Naum Eitingon prepared a man for an important mission - the murder of Leon Trotsky. After the one in 1938 proposed the creation of the "Fourth International", he became the most dangerous enemy for the whole country. The Soviet authorities saw in him a traitor of Marxist ideas. In 1929, Trotsky was deported from the USSR, and three years later he was stripped of his citizenship. Well, maybe he crossed the line, which should not be crossed.

In the autumn of 1939, Ramon Mercader went to New York with a Canadian passport in the name of F. Jackson. Under this name, he draws close to S. Ageloff, who was a close friend of Trotsky. Soon Mercader goes to Mexico City, allegedly to address some issues related to doing business. All this time he is helped by Eitingon agent. Ramon persuades S. Ageloff to move with him. The shadowing of Trotsky and his family begins.

In the spring of 1940, the agent changes his name and becomes Jacques Mornar. With the help of S. Ageloff, he manages to get acquainted with Trotsky. The young man likes Lion, because he fully supports his personal views. Over time, Ramon rubs his trust in Trotsky so much that he can come to him with friendly visits. August afternoon Jacques Mornar visits his friend to show a new article. While Trotsky is reading the proposed material, Agent Mornar strikes his head with an ice ax. Ramon Mercader struck a blow from behind and from above, hoping that Trotsky would die quickly and quietly. However, the Lion did not lose consciousness, but with screams he attacked his killer. It is interesting that at the same time he ordered his guards not to kill Ramon. He was severely beaten, but left alive. Almost for 24 hours Lev Trotsky lived, and then died from a deep wound, which reached 7 cm.

Arrest

How does the short biography go on? Ramon Mercader is in the police station, but refuses to give any evidence. In a Soviet newspaper, they wrote that the murderer of Trotsky was called Jean Morgan Vandendrain - a close friend of the murdered. For quite a long time, Ramon was under investigation. He was often interrogated, trying to get the truth. He was also tortured and beaten severely. After a while, not having achieved the desired results, Ramona is transferred to prison with a softer regime. The trial of a man occurs in Mexico. Mercadera sentenced to 20 years in prison, which was the maximum period for Mexican legislation.

The agent of the NKVD of the USSR sat in prison for 20 years. In 1960, he was released and sent to Cuba, where he was secretly taken to the USSR. May 31, 1960, Ramon was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He was also awarded the "Gold Star" medal and the Order of Lenin. All this he personally received from Alexander Shelepin, the head of the KGB. Ramon received a dacha and a four-room apartment. Soon he moved to live in Cuba, where he worked for some time as an adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 1978, Ramon Mercader died of sarcoma.

Culture

The work of Ramón Mercader is captured in the cinema. In total, four movies were shot, dedicated to his deed. The first tape "Murder of Trotsky" was removed in 1972. The main role in the film was played by Alain Delon. In 1993 the Russian film "Trotsky" was shot, where V. Razbegaev played Mercader. In 2002, the Americans created the movie "Frida", in which A. Savala Kugler played the main villain. In 2010, the television series appeared Russian series called "Fights".