this time that the armed conflict was “extended” and intensified in the Urabá region. 120 According to the evidence in the case file, this exacerbation of the conflict in the region was related, among other reasons, “to large-scale military operations that included dropping bombs and that were aimed against the 57th and 34th Fronts, especially in the northern part of the department, in the municipalities of Riosucio, Ungula and Acandí,”121 and with “the intense and ferocious armed incursion” and subsequent consolidation of the paramilitary groups. 122 92. The historical presence of the guerrilla in the region123 was opposed and disputed by the paramilitary groups, most of who came from Urabá Antioqueño. Particularly, as of the mid1990s, when its first activities commenced, carrying out a “pacification” process “that is still remembered owing to the wave of terror and the destruction of the social tissue and the community organization.”124 As of 1996, the paramilitary units of the AUC began to advance upriver, using threats, intimidation, persecution, economic blockades, and murders that affected several communities of the municipality of Riosucio, the Cacarica River and Curvaradó.125 Little by little the actions of the illegal armed groups expanded, “causing massive displacements, that resulted in social chaos in this region.”126 In addition, “loyalties” emerged Eighth Criminal Court of the Bogota Special Circuit, file 2009-063, Defendant: Rito Alejo del Río, judgment of August 23, 2012 (evidence file, folio 14804). 119 Cf. Eighth Criminal Court of the Bogota Special Circuit, file 2009-063, Defendant: Alejo del Río, judgment of August 23, 2012 (evidence file, folio 14804). 120 Cf. “Operation Genesis Report” cited in the affidavit dated January 31, 2013, prepared by María Paulina Leguizamón Zarate, expert witness proposed by the State (evidence file, folio 15414), and Prosecutor General’s Office, Justice and Peace Unit, Dossier on the Elmer Cárdenas Bloc, Genesis (evidence file, folio 44478 ). See also, Testimony of Jesús Alfonso Flórez López, expert witness proposed by the representatives of the presumed victims, before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights during the public hearing on February 12, 2013, and Ombudsman’s Office. Decision No. 39 of the Ombudsman of June 2, 2005 (evidence file, folio 47465). 121 Cf. “Operation Genesis Report” cited in the affidavit dated January 31, 2013, prepared by María Paulina Leguizamón Zarate, expert witness proposed by the State (evidence file, folio 15414). 122 Cf. Prosecutor General’s Office, Justice and Peace Unit, Dossier on the Elmer Cárdenas Bloc, Genesis (evidence file, folio 44476): ��In the second half of the 1990s, more exactly on December 20, 1996, in the municipality of Riosucio Chocó, there was an intense and ferocious armed raid by a paramilitary group; after this, the presence of the selfdefense forces was strengthened in this part of the department and, with time, it forced the subversive elements to retreat to the mountainous and jungle areas.” The same dossier adds that, as of 1996, the paramilitary group that was present in the region began an offensive in order to take control of the Atrato. The members of the self-defense forces began to advance upriver from the town of Riosucio, near Urabá, committing selective murders, intimidating and threatening the local people. The most significant combat between these two groups took place in the village of Bojayá in May 2002.” 123 Up until this time, the FARC guerrilla had “used the department as a kind of strategic rearguard area, because they could supply themselves from there since it was near the sea, and retreat there when necessary. Other groups such as the Guevarist Revolutionary Army (ERG) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) have followed the example of the FARC.” Ombudsman’s Office, report “Chocó, Víctima del Conflicto and Codicia” cited by the Prosecutor General’s Office, Justice and Peace Unit, Dossier on the Elmer Cárdenas Bloc, Genesis (evidence file, folios 44477 and 44478). See also, “Operation Genesis Report” cited in the affidavit dated January 31, 2013, prepared by María Paulina Leguizamón Zarate, expert witness proposed by the State (evidence file, folios 15414 and 15415). 124 Prosecutor General’s Office, Justice and Peace Unit, Dossier on the Elmer Cárdenas Bloc, Genesis (evidence file, folio 44478). See also, Technical Investigation Corps, Report No. 116 of November 9, 2009, to the 122nd and 48th Regional Prosecutors delegated to the Justice and Peace judges, proceeding 2332 Marino López Mena (evidence file, folio 17199). 125 Cf. Prosecutor General’s Office, Justice and Peace Unit, Dossier on the Elmer Cárdenas Bloc, Genesis (evidence file, folios 44477 and 44478). 126 Cf. Prosecutor General’s Office, Justice and Peace Unit, Dossier on the Elmer Cárdenas Bloc, Genesis (evidence file, folio 44476). Regarding the displacement, see also: “Operation Genesis Report” cited in the affidavit dated January 31, 2013, prepared by María Paulina Leguizamón Zarate, expert witness proposed by the State (evidence file, folios 15414 and 15415). Also, Eighth Criminal Court of the Bogota Special Circuit, file 2009-063, defendant Rito Alejo del Río, judgment of August 23, 2012 (evidence file, folio 14804). 33