The facts of the case concern the extrajudicial executions of the brothers Igmar Alexander (age 18) and Eduardo José (age 17) by security forces in the state of Aragua in 1996. These events took place within a context of widespread police abuse in several states of Venezuela at the time.

The Inter-American Court applied standards on the use of force and firearms by security forces, as well as on due diligence and humanitarian state obligations following the use of force. In regards to the case of Eduardo José, who was a minor at the time of the execution, the Inter-American Court developed standards regarding his deprivation of liberty in light of the special protections he should have had as a minor. In both cases, the Inter-American Court analyzed the investigations carried out vis-a-vis standards of due diligence and reasonable timeframe.