The facts of the case refer to the massacre that took place in January 1982 in the Chichupac village and in the neighboring communities of the municipality of Rabinal, comprised of members of the Maya Achí indigenous community.

In addition to addressing extrajudicial executions and forced disappearances, the Inter-American Court analyzed human rights violations due to forced displacement of members of these communities, especially women and children. It also focused on the lack of due diligence in terms of conducting an investigation into the incidents that took place.

The Inter-American Court analyzed the case within the context of the internal armed conflict that took place in Guatemala from 1962 to 1996, during which the so-called "doctrine of national security" considered the Mayan indigenous peoples an "internal enemy".