12 54. Specifically, as Coordinator of the Social Action and Human Rights Office of the Apostolic Vicariate of Machiques, Joe Luis Castillo González, carried out fieldwork in the area of the frontier between the State of Zulia and Colombia, in particular in the Oro River zone where a group of displaced Colombian citizens who had moved into Venezuela had settled. 37 Joe Luis Castillo González also provided legal counsel to peasants who were in dispute with landowners over the ownership of land, some of whom were selectively murdered in circumstances yet to be clarified. 38 55. Prior to the attempt on his life Joe Luis Castillo González had told co-workers at the Vicariate that he was very much afraid and that he was going to request the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to arrange better security for him because of the risks he ran in his work.39 56. On July 15, 2003, Joe Luis Castillo González and his wife, Yelitze Moreno de Castillo, resigned from the Social Action Office of the Apostolic Vicariate of Machiques owing to the situation in the zone and in order to seek financial stability and opportunities for their family. 40 At the time of the facts, Joe Luis Castillo González was in the process of handing over his position.41 3. The attack on Joe Luis Castillo González, Yelitze Moreno de Castillo, and Luis César Castillo Moreno 57. On August 27, 2003, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Joe Luis Castillo González, his wife, Yelitze Moreno de Castillo, and the child, Luis César Castillo Moreno, who was one and a half years old at the time, 42 were in their car on their way home in Urbanization Tinaquillo II, Municipality of Machiques de Perijá, State of Zulia. Joe Luis Castillo González was driving. Two unidentified men riding on a motorcycle drew level with 2003, pp. 101-106 and communication from the Community Education Center (CECODAP) to the Office of the Prosecutor General of the Republic, September 3, 2003, pp. 121-122. Annex to the petitioners’ brief received at the IACHR on June 3, 2008. Not contested by the State. 36 Office of the 20th Public Prosecutor for the Judicial District of the State of Zulia, Case 24-F20-817-2003, Office of the 83rd Public Prosecutor for the Judicial District of Metropolitan Caracas, interview with Yelitze Lisbeth Moreno Cova, September 10, 2003, pp. 101-106. Annex to the petitioners’ brief received at the IACHR on June 3, 2008, and Psychological and Social Assistance Unit, COFAVIC, interview with Yelitze Lisbeth Moreno Cova, June 7, 2007. Annex 2 of the petitioners’ brief on merits received at the IACHR on July 13, 2007. Not contested by the State. 37 Office of the 20th Public Prosecutor for the Judicial District of the State of Zulia, Case 24-F20-817-2003, record of interview with Luz Marina Márquez Frontado, September 5, 2003, pp. 47 and 48. Annex to the petitioners’ brief received at the IACHR on June 3, 2008. Not contested by the State. 38 Programa Venezolano de Educación – Acción en Derechos Humanos (PROVEA). Annual Report October 2001 September 2002. Available at http://www.derechos.org.ve/proveaweb/wp-content/uploads/006_derecho_a_la_tierra.pdf. Luis Mora Durán, a campesino leader and member of the Patria para Todos [Homeland for All] party was murdered on January 10, 2001; Wilmer Avendaño, a leader of the majority of the South of Lake Maracaibo land committees was slain at his home on February 2, 2001; Licinio Lago, a member of the Movimiento Quinta República (MVR) [Fifth Republic Movement] was assassinated on October 30, 2001; Pedro José Doria, a doctor and agrarian leader was murdered on August 25, 2002. Some weeks later Dr. Doria’s neighbor, Carlos Parra, was murdered, as was an agrarian leader named Armando García. Programa Venezolano de Educación – Acción en Derechos Humanos (PROVEA). Annual Report October 2001 - September 2002. Available at http://www.derechos.org.ve/proveaweb/wp-content/uploads/006_derecho_a_la_tierra.pdf in briefs from the petitioners received at the IACHR on July 13, 2007 and June 22, 2010. Not contested by the State. 39 Petitioners’ brief on merits received at the IACHR on July 13, 2007. Not contested by the State. Office of the 20th Public Prosecutor for the Judicial District of the State of Zulia, Case 24-F20-817-2003, record of interview with Luz Marina Márquez Frontado, September 5, 2003, pp. 47 and 48. Annex to the petitioners’ brief received at the IACHR on June 3, 2008. Not contested by the State. 40 Psychological and Social Assistance Unit, COFAVIC, interview with Yelitze Lisbeth Moreno Cova, June 7, 2007. Annex 2 of the petitioners’ brief on merits received at the IACHR on July 13, 2007. See also Office of the 20th Public Prosecutor for the Judicial District of the State of Zulia, Case 24-F20-817-2003, record of interview with Luz Marina Márquez Frontado, September 5, 2003, pp. 47 and 48, and record of interview with Besabe Pérez Linmay del Carmen, September 5, 2003, p. 49. Not contested by the State. 41 Petitioners’ briefs on merits received at the IACHR on July 13, 2007. Not contested by the State. 42 Petitioners’ brief on merits received at the IACHR on July 13, 2007. Not contested by the State.