99.
Regarding the background to Operation Genesis, the State has explained that it was a
mechanism to combat and neutralize the FARC 57th Front, which had committed a series of
crimes at the start of 1997; in particular, the attack on the inhabitants of Riosucio on January
9,149 the kidnapping of 10 marines on January 16,150 the kidnapping of four foreigners on
February 7,151 and the kidnapping of some children.152
C. “Operation Genesis” and “Operation Cacarica”
Undisputed facts
100. As indicated, the counterinsurgency operation known as “Operation Genesis” was
planned to take place between February 24 and 27, 1997.153 According to Operations Order No.
004 Genesis of the Military Forces of Colombia, the Army, 17th Brigade, its purpose was to attack
the guerrilla in the general area of the Salaquí and the Truandó Rivers, in order to capture and/or
neutralize the members of the José María Córdoba Bloc and the FARC 57th Front and to liberate
the 10 kidnapped marines154 (supra para. 97). Based on this goal, eight objectives were
established with their respective coordinates.155 The intelligence report attached to Operations
Order No. 004 Genesis of the Military Forces of Colombia, the Army, 17th Brigade,156 indicates:
file 2332 (evidence file, video recording 10:36 and 11:27); Testimony of Fredy Rendón during the trial of General Rito
Alejo del Río for the murder of Marino López, of May 12, 2011, Bogota (evidence file, video recording 23:00 to 29:00
folio 8734), and Amnesty International, Colombia. Return to hope - forcibly displaced communities of Urabá and Medio
Atrato region, June 2000 (evidence file, folio 1157). Affidavits dated January 21, 201, by: Jerónimo Pérez, Jhon Jairo
Mena and Ángel Nelis Palacios (evidence file, folio 14923, 14982 and 14993); Prosecutor General’s Office, Justice and
Peace Unit, Dossier on the Elmer Cárdenas Bloc. Genesis. Context immediately before it was planned (evidence file,
folios 44478); Ombudsman’s Office, Complaint 9745030 of March 1, 1997, addressed to the Ombudsman by the Head
of the Apartadó Regional Office (evidence file, folio 50735).
149
Cf. Testimony of Colonel Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaría, expert witness proposed by the State, before the
Inter-American Court of Human Rights during the public hearing on February 12, 2013, and “Intelligence report” cited in
the affidavit dated January 31, 2013, prepared by María Paulina Leguizamón Zarate, expert witness proposed by the
State (evidence file, folio 15432)
150
Cf. Colombian Military Forces, National Army, 17th Brigade: Operations Order No. 004 “Genesis,” February
1997, Reports of March 6 and March 20, 1997 (evidence file, folios 1406, 5528 and 5532). See also the testimony of
Colonel Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaría and Colonel Germán Castro, expert witness and witness proposed by the State,
before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights during the public hearing on February 11 and 12, 2013.
151
Cf. Testimony of Colonel Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaría, expert witness proposed by the State and Colonel
Germán Castro, witness proposed by the State, before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights during the public
hearing on February 11 and 12, 2013.
152
Cf. Testimony of Colonel Germán Castro, witness proposed by the State, before the Inter-American Court of
Human Rights during the public hearing on February 11, 2013.
153
Cf. Colombian Military Forces, National Army, 17th Brigade, Report of March 6, 1997 (evidence file, folios 5529
and 5530). See also: Ombudsman’s Office. Decision No. 025 of the Ombudsman on the massive human rights violations
and forced displacement in the Bajo Atrato region of Chocó, October 2002 (evidence file, folio 231); Testimony of
Colonel Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaría, expert witness proposed by the State, before the Inter-American Court of
Human Rights during the public hearing on February 12, 2013.
154
Cf. Colombian Military Forces, National Army, 17th Brigade Operations Order No. 004 “Genesis,” and Report of
March 6, 1997 (evidence file, folios 1406 and 5529), and testimony of Colonel Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaría, expert
witness proposed by the State, before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights during the public hearing on February
12, 2013.
155
Cf. Colombian Military Forces, National Army, 17th Brigade. Intelligence report attached to Operations Order
No. 004 “Genesis,” and appendix on “Plan of objectives” (evidence file, folios 5515 and 5519) and Military Forces of
Colombia, General Command, Head of Joint Military Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Military analysis of the terrain
dated May 29, 2009, Annex (evidence file, folio 1267).
156
Cf. Colombian Military Forces, National Army, 17th Brigade. Intelligence report attached to Operations Order
No. 004 “Genesis” of February 1997 (evidence file, folios 5514 to 5519).
37
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