-47and ranchers, it was a corridor towards the “banana production center,” where the guerrilla had a major influence in the political and trade union sectors.51 95(25) In reaction to the guerrilla, the paramilitary groups moved into the Urabá region. Fidel Castaño Gil, a leader of paramilitary groups in the region, was an important landowner and rancher in the municipality of Valencia, in the western part of Córdoba, where he had several ranches, including “Las Tangas.”52 95(26) Given the strength of the guerrilla the social and political unrest, and the declaration of civil and labor strikes, in 1988, the Government established the XIth Brigade in Montería, the No. 1 Mobile Brigade, and the Urabá Military Headquarters (supra para. 95(6)).53 95(27) During the period between 1988 and 1990, members of paramilitary groups carried out more than 20 massacres of peasants and trade unionists. Over the same period, Fidel Castaño carried out several massacres from his properties.54 95(28) The military installations around Pueblo Bello consisted of a roadblock on the highway leading from Pueblo Bello to San Pedro de Urabá, and the military base of San Pedro de Urabá; the latter belonged to Infantry Brigade No. 32 “Francisco de Paula Vélez” based in Carepa, Antioquia. In addition, there were both the Infantry Brigade “Francisco de Paula Vélez” based in San Pedro de Urabá, and the Voltígeros Battalion based in Carepa. Moreover, there was a Police Command based in San Pedro de Urabá, with headquarters in Carepa.55 95(29) Since both the guerrilla and the State used the civilian population to support military operations, it became one of the central objectives of the conflict.56 The events of January 1990 95(30) Between January 13 and 14, 1990, a group of approximately 60 heavilyarmed men belonging to a paramilitary organization created by Fidel Antonio Castaño Gil called the “tangueros” owing to their connection with his ranch “Las Tangas,” left his “Santa Mónica” ranch, in the municipality of Valencia, Department 51 Cf. sworn statement made by the expert witness, Alfredo Molano Bravo, on August 22, 2005 (file of statements made before or authenticated by notary public, folios 2674 and 2675). 52 Cf. sworn statement made by the expert witness, Alfredo Molano Bravo, on August 22, 2005 (file of statements made before or authenticated by notary public, folios 2673 and 2674). 53 Cf. sworn statement made by the expert witness, Alfredo Molano Bravo, on August 22, 2005 (file of statements made before or authenticated by notary public, folio 2675). 54 Cf. sworn statement made by the expert witness, Alfredo Molano Bravo, on August 22, 2005 (file of statements made before or authenticated by notary public, folio 2675), and report drawn up by the General Directorate of Intelligence of the Administrative Department of Security (DAS) on September 12, 1990 (file of attachments to the requests and arguments brief, attachment 5(2), folios 1534 to 1547). 55 Cf. ruling of the Office of the Delegate Disciplinary Attorney for Human Rights of the Attorney General’s Office of July 31, 2000, in the investigation under case file No. 008-120607 (file of attachments to the application, tome II, attachment C-10, folios 664 and 670);ruling of the Disciplinary Chamber of the Attorney General’s Office of February 9, 2001 (file of attachments to the brief with the answer to the application, attachment 2, folio 1740), and map entitled “Military Bases, Urabá Antioqueño (1990)” (file of documents received during the public hearing, folio 2749). 56 Cf. sworn statement made by the expert witness, Alfredo Molano Bravo, on August 22, 2005 (file of statements made before or authenticated by notary public, folio 2674).