The facts of the case concern the extrajudicial execution of Wilmer Zambrano, Segundo Olmedo and José Miguel Caicedo in March 1993, and the lack of investigation and punishment of those responsible. The victims were executed during an operation carried out by the Ecuadoran Armed Forces and the National Police. The events occurred in the context of a climate of insecurity and internal commotion, which lead to the ordering of Decree N° 86 on September 3, 1992 by the President of the Republic, which commanded the intervention of the armed forces.

The IA Court established standards on the scope of the suspension of guarantees in states of exception, as well as criteria for the legitimate use of force on the part of state security forces.