The facts of the case refer to deprivation of liberty - within in the context of a police operation known as "Operation Linda" - and torture suffered by Mr. Jorge Eliécer Herrera Espinoza, Mr. Luis Alfonso Jaramillo González, and Mr. Emmanuel Cano who were involved in an investigation around the crime of international drug trafficking.

The Inter-American Court analyzed issues related to the practice of torture, evidence of such practice, and the State's obligation to investigate. It also referred to illegal and arbitrary deprivation of personal liberty and to the judicial control over personal liberty, as well and the right to defense as a key component to guarantee due process.