74.
In the Truth Commission Report, it explains that on December 3, 1990, when Liliana Vásconez
Vaca was called to render a statement to the Homicide Department of the Criminal Investigation Service of
Pichincha, “I was accused of being an active member of the Montoneras Patria Libre Group, they tried to
effectively link me with the disappeared and also threatened me with having me say whatever they wanted me
to say by using coercive means. Her identification was confiscated until December 4, 1990.”44
75.
In 2003, several media reports that made reference to the disappearance of César Gustavo
Garzón Guzmán were published. Some of these reports were also mentioned by the Truth Commission.
76.
Due to a news story published on May 4, 2003, in which a former intelligence agent from the
Army assured that “General Vaca knows the whereabouts of the skeletal remains of writer Gustavo Garzón and
he knows how Arturo Jarrín, leader of Alfaro Vive Carajo, was killed in the 80’s,”45 General Vaca responded to
the allegations about being the mastermind of a police force that tortured and killed members of the Group
“Alfaro Vive Carajo” by stating that “then I had a hierarchical position and over me laid a whole institutional
structure. It was not a policy of Edgar Vaca against the criminals, but of the institution in fulfillment of its
institutional mission.”46
77.
In response to said news report, the Ecumenical Commission for Human Rights addressed
letters to the Ministry of Government and the Ministry of Defense on May 5, 2003. In those letters, the
Ecumenical Commission requested that a comprehensive investigation be ordered to shed light on the events.
The petitioners stated that they did not receive any reply indicating that an investigation was carried out.47
78.
The letters stated that “since the beginning of the disappearance there was no interest on the
part of the competent authorities and there even were signs of cover up. César Verduga, the then-Minister of
Government, hinted to the mother, Mrs. Clorinda Guzmán, that her son wanted to disappear because of
disappointment in love (...)”48. Others commented that he would have left for Colombia (...) In its letter, the
Ecumenical Commission requested an investigation to the identify the former official of army intelligence who
states that the Commander General of the police knows the whereabouts of the alleged victim.49
79.
The June 18th news report informed that a friend, who requested not to be identified, stated
that on the day of the events he was with the alleged victim at the “Son Candela” discotheque and that he will
never forget what Mr. Garzón Guzmán confided that night: “I know they are following me, the agents are
following my steps closely.” 50 The report also states that “State security forces were behind the writer’s
disappearance,” according to an army intelligence officer.51
44 Report of Truth Commission of Ecuador, Without Truth there is no Justice, Vol. 4: Cases, 1989-2008 Period, 2010, Case of
Gustavo Garzón, p. 30.
45 Annex 5. Diario El Comercio, report of May 4, 2003, at page 2 A: “Vaca, powerful as untouchable.” Annex to the petitioners’
brief of July 16, 2009.
46 Annex 5. Diario El Comercio, report of May 4, 2003, at page 2 A: “Vaca, powerful as untouchable.” Annex to the petitioners’
brief of July 16, 2009.
47 Annex 6. Letters sent to the Minister of Government (Document # 349 CEDHU/2003) and to the Minister of Defense
(Document #349 CEDHU/2003) by the Ecumenical Commission for Human Rights on May 5, 2003. Annex to the petitioners’ brief of July
16, 2009.
48 Annex 6. Letters sent to the Minister of Government (Document # 349 CEDHU/2003) and to the Minister of Defense
(Document #349 CEDHU/2003) by the Ecumenical Commission for Human Rights on May 5, 2003. Annex to the petitioners’ brief of July
16, 2009.
49 Annex 3. Letters sent to the Minister of Government (Document # 349 CEDHU/2003) and to the Minister of Defense
(Document #349 CEDHU/2003) by the Ecumenical Commission for Human Rights on May 5, 2003. Annex to the petitioners’ brief of July
16, 2009.
50 Annex 7. Diario El Comercio, report of June 18, 2003: “A search for the disappeared with no answer.” Annex to the petitioners’
brief of July 16, 2009.
51 Annex 7. Diario El Comercio, report of June 19, 2003: “A search for the disappeared with no answer.” Annex to the petitioners’
brief of July 16, 2009.
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