-72-
95(123) In August 2005, the Medellín National Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law Unit tried to carry out exhumations at “Las Tangas,” but
suspended them owing to the weather conditions.150
95(124) At the date of this judgment, the investigation is still ongoing by the 42nd
Prosecutor of the National Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Unit.
Disciplinary administrative proceedings
95(125) Owing to the publication of a newspaper article on January 16, 1990, the
Special Investigations Office of the Attorney General’s Office ordered the opening de
oficio of the preliminary investigation into the alleged human rights violation based
on the events of Pueblo Bello on January 19, 1990, and also that statements should
be taken and visits should be made to sites, battalions, military barracks and private
homes.151
95(126) On January 26, 1990, the Deputy Attorney General’s Office requested the
Military Headquarters of Urabá to carry out “search operations in the following sites:
the “Las Tangas ranch, the Municipality of Moñitos, Las Cruces and El Pescadito, in
order to discover the whereabouts of more than 39 persons allegedly disappeared or
abducted from the jurisdiction of Pueblo Bello. [...] This request is made based on
information provided by some of the victims’ next of kin.”152
95(127) On February 5, 1990, the XIth Brigade of the National Army reported that
troops from this operational unit had carried out a search “of the Las Tangas ranch
[...] and in the Pescado stream, to try and find the [...] peasants of the jurisdiction
of Pueblo Bello [...] with negative results.”153
95(128) On February 12, 1990, based on the measures taken up until that time, the
Deputy Attorney General’s Office decided to forward the preliminary investigation to
the Delegate Attorney for the Armed Forces “so that he could order any necessary
measures, since Captain ALVARO GOMEZ LUQUE, Commander of the military base of
San Pedro de Urabá may have violated Decree No. 085/89.”154
95(129) On April 30, 1990, based on the preliminary measures that had been taken,
the Office of the Delegate Attorney for the defense of human rights formally opened
the disciplinary inquiry, to investigate the conduct of the National Army officers,
Captain Álvaro Gómez Luque and Sub-Lieutenant Néstor Enrique Barrera Vega, who,
150
Cf. testimonies of José Daniel Álvarez Ruiz and Elva Beatriz Silva Vargas given before the InterAmerican Court during the public hearing held on September 19, 2005, and document on the area
explored in August 2005 on the “Las Tangas” ranch (file of documents received during the public hearing).
151
Cf. decision of January 19, 1990, issued by the Special Investigations Office of the Attorney
General’s Office (file of useful evidence submitted by the State, attachment 6105).
152
Cf. official communication of January 26, 1990, issued by the Attorney General’s Office (file of
useful evidence submitted by the State, folio 6147).
153
Cf. official communication of February 5, 1990, issued by the XIth Brigade of the National Army
(file of useful evidence submitted by the State, folio 4987).
154
Cf. decision of February 12, 1990, issued by the Deputy Attorney General’s Office (file of useful
evidence submitted by the State, folio 4978 to 4983).
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