is this the movie ...

she was 'dispatched' with a pistol if memory serves...that in itself is not so important...the heroic figure making her 'exit' from this epic tale was wonderfully 'shot' by the master of suspense in this underrated film...well worth a viewing for it's re visiting the cold war era and understanding the whole 'Cuba' situation, which is still relevant today... I enjoyed seeing the 'French perspective' being explored... Franco-American relations have suffered in the years since this was filmed (1969)...I rated the film an 8 and recommend it

I never quite understood this scene. From the camera shot it appears to be one of the soldiers who killed her, but nobody seems to worry about him. If I were the commander I would be mad if they would shoot my spy before I could interrogate her.

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No, Parra himself did it. There is a close-up on the gun in his hand pointed at her side and then dropping to his waist level.

And he did it for mixed reasons. One: to avoid her being subjected to torture("what they will do to this body...this beautiful body"). Two: because she was a traitor to Castro. Three -- because he loved her, but she obviously loved and was bedding the Frenchman Andre, too -- which gave Parra a personal reason for this execution.

On the overhead shot of Juanita dying, her purple dress spreading out like blood AND a blossoming flower, Hitch had crewmen pull on strings attached to the dress to make it "blossom." Key: its not a RED dress...that would be too obvious(blood spreading on the floor.)

Moreover, Hitchcock carefully directed the physical movements of the actors, showing them where to place their hands, etc. He told a visiting reporter "These are unseasoned actors so they need more specific direction."
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Result: a scene with great visual style AND great emotional impact.