101. The survivors of La Joya were forced to flee to avoid the military operation, dragging
themselves through the woods and hiding in the nearest caves for many days.120
102. In addition, a group of approximately 50 people sought refuge on a hill known as “El
Perico”, located about 500 meters from the homes of the canton.121 From there they were able
to observe the smoke columns and listen to the soldiers’ gunshots. 122
103. After several days, those who had hidden in the woods, the river and the caves and on
“El Perico” came down to the village and buried the dead.123 They found all their homes burned
down and destroyed, and most of them decided to seek refuge in Honduras. 124
annex 3 to the pleadings and motions brief, folio 5547); Statement made by María del Rosario López Sánchez before the
Inter-American Court during the public hearing held on April 23, 2012, and Record of judicial inspection in the canton of
“La Joya”, jurisdiction of Meanguera, district of Jocoaitique, department of Morazán, on July 1, 1992 (evidence file, tome
III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folio 2159).
119
Cf. Witness statement made by Lucila Romero Martínez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco
Gotera on January 24, 1991 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1711 to 1713). See
also, Statement made by María del Rosario López Sánchez before the Inter-American Court during the public hearing
held on April 23, 2012).
120
Cf. Witness statement made by Pedro Chicas Romero before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco
Gotera on November 27, 1990 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1692 and 1693);
Sworn statement made by Pedro Chicas Romero before the Oficina de Tutela Legal del Arzobispado on July 25, 2011
(evidence file, tome VIII, annex 3 to the pleadings and motions brief, folios 5530 and 5531); Witness statement made
by María Amanda Martínez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on January 23, 1991
(evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1704 and 1705); Witness statement made by
Lucila Romero Martínez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on January 24, 1991 (evidence
file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1711 to 1713); Victim statement made by Genaro Sánchez
before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on April 4, 1991 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the
submission of the case, folios 1762 to 1765); Witness statement made by Genaro Sánchez before the Second First
Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on April 10, 1991 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the
case, folios 1767 to 1770); Sworn statement made by César Martínez Hernández before the Oficina de Tutela Legal del
Arzobispado on June 22, 2011 (evidence file, tome VIII, annex 3 to the pleadings and motions brief, folios 5547 and
5548), and Statement made by María del Rosario López Sánchez before the Inter-American Court during the public
hearing held on April 23, 2012.
121
Cf. Witness statement made by Hilario Sánchez Gómez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco
Gotera on November 28, 1990 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1696 and 1697);
Victim statement made by Hilario Sánchez Gómez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on
February 14, 1991 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folio 1725), and Affidavit provided
by Juan Bautista Márquez Argueta on April 1, 2012 (evidence file, tome XVII, affidavits, folio 10277). See also, Sworn
statement made by María del Rosario López Sánchez before the Oficina de Tutela Legal del Arzobispado on June 19,
2011 (evidence file, tome VIII, annex 3 to the pleadings and motions brief, folios 5522 to 5525).
122
Cf. Witness statement made by Hilario Sánchez Gómez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco
Gotera on November 28, 1990 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1695 to 1698);
Victim statement made by Hilario Sánchez Gómez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on
February 14, 1991 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1723 to 1728); Sworn
statement made by María del Rosario López Sánchez before the Oficina de Tutela Legal del Arzobispado on June 19,
2011 (evidence file, tome VIII, annex 3 to the pleadings and motions brief, folios 5522 to 5525).
123
Cf. Witness statement made by Hilario Sánchez Gómez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco
Gotera on November 28, 1990 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1695 to 1698);
Victim statement made by Hilario Sánchez Gómez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on
February 14, 1991 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1723 to 1728), and Witness
statement made by Lucila Romero Martínez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on January
24, 1991 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1711 to 1713). See also, Sworn
statement made by María del Rosario López Sánchez before the Oficina de Tutela Legal del Arzobispado on June 19,
2011 (evidence file, tome VIII, annex 3 to the pleadings and motions brief, folios 5522 to 5525).
124
Cf. Witness statement made by Hilario Sánchez Gómez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco
Gotera on November 28, 1990 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1695 to 1698);
Victim statement made by Hilario Sánchez Gómez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on
February 14, 1991 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1723 to 1728); Witness
statement made by Lucila Romero Martínez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on January
24, 1991 (evidence file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1711 to 1713); Witness statement made
by Sotero Guevara Martínez before the Second First Instance Court of San Francisco Gotera on May 7, 1991 (evidence
file, tome III, annex 23 to the submission of the case, folios 1774 to 1778); Sworn statement made by María del Rosario
López Sánchez before the Oficina de Tutela Legal del Arzobispado on June 19, 2011 (evidence file, tome VIII, annex 3 to
34