IV. PROVEN FACTS A. The situation of Mirey Trueba prior to his death 23. Mirey Trueba was born in Baborigame, municipality of Guadalupe y Calvo, State of Chihuahua. At the time of the events of the case, he was working on his family’s farm. His family was made up of: i) his father José Tomás Trueba; ii) his mother Micaela Arciniega; and iii) his brothers Vidal (deceased)2, Elías, Tomás, Eleazar, Eduardo (deceased)3 and Samuel, all having the surname Trueba.4 24. Baborigame has a population of approximately two thousand inhabitants and 75% of its population belongs to the Tepehuan indigenous group.5 Based on publically available information, the presence of the Mexican Army has increased since the end of the 1960s in said municipality.6 The State acknowledged the increased presence of the Army and explained that a military command post was established in Baborigame in the 1900s in response to the violence from drug trafficking.7 The State claimed that at the time of the events of the case, this base was commanded by Infantry Lieutenant Coronel Luis Raúl Morales Rodríguez.8 25. The Commission notes the press reports recounting that members of the military committed several acts of violence against the population of Baborigame. The incidents mentioned in the newspaper articles include house burnings and the execution of five civilians in 1992,9 the arrest and alleged torture and execution of a civilian in 199610 and the alleged executions of three civilians in 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively.11 26. On August 20, 1998, two days before the events of the case before us took place, 400 soldiers came to Baborigame.12 The sectional President of the region claimed that the reason for the soldiers’ arrival was to fight drug trafficking.13 2 According to the petitioners, Vidal Trueba was murdered on October 24, 2011. Petitioners’ communication of March 13, 2012. The Commission also verified said status based on information available to the public. See: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldeparral/notas/n2284591.htm 3 According to the petitioners, Eduardo Trueba was murdered on October 24, 2011. Petitioners’ communication of March 13, 2012. The Commission also verified said status based on information available to the public. See: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldeparral/notas/n2284591.htm 4 Petitioners’ communication of March 13, 2012. 5 Newspaper article “Morir en la Sierra” [Dying in the Sierra’], published in the daily newspaper Chihuahua, August 30, 1998. Annex 1 to initial petition. 6 Newspaper article “Morir en la Sierra” [Dying in the Sierra’], published in the daily newspaper Chihuahua, August 30, 1998. Annex 1 to initial petition. 7 State’s communication of June 19, 2009. 8 State’s communication of June 19, 2009. 9 Newspaper article “Morir en la Sierra” [Dying in the Sierra’], published in the daily newspaper Chihuahua, August 30, 1998. Annex 1 to initial petition. 10 IACHR, Report No. 107/00, Case 11.808, Friendly Settlement, Valentín Carrillo, Mexico, December 4, 2000. 11 Initial petition. Said information was not refuted by the State. 12 Newspaper article “Morir en la Sierra” [Dying in the Sierra’], published in the daily newspaper Chihuahua, August 30, 1998. Annex 1 to initial petition. 13 Newspaper article “Morir en la Sierra” [Dying in the Sierra’], published in the daily newspaper Chihuahua, August 30, 1998. Annex 1 to initial petition. 4