28 * * * 92. After describing the general context prevailing at the time the events in this case, it is relevant to refer to the creation and activities of the “Los Masetos” paramilitaries, the group which carried out the Rochela Massacre, and its relationship to members of the State’s security forces. 93. It has been proven that the involvement of State agents in the creation and support of the paramilitary group, which carried out the Rochela Massacre was enabled by the abovementioned legal framework (supra para. 82 to 85), particularly, by the application of the abovementioned counter-guerrilla regulations (supra para. 88 and 89). 94. First, State agents were involved in the emergence and formation of the “Los Masetos” paramilitary group. In this regard, the Council of State of Colombia maintained that: The involvement of army members […] who promoted the formation of the group known as LOS MASETOS and who supported and covered their activities appears to have been proven in the events of the instant case; and it has further been proven that the members of such group were the perpetrators of the massacre […]. Thus, all these facts show the active involvement of members of the national army in the formation of the group of criminals who killed the members of the commission, to the extent that, as was stated by one of the preliminary criminal investigative judges conducting the investigation, it was not even possible to request the protection of the National Army, as its members were involved in these events.66 (emphasis supplied) 95. Furthermore, the State acknowledged that “Los Masetos” operated from the base located in Campo Capote, with the cooperation of Army units under the command of Lieutenant Luis Enrique Andrade Ortiz and the support of Staff Sergeant Otoniel Hernández. In this regard, the Superior Tribunal of Public Order [Tribunal Superior de Orden Público]67 established that the abovementioned lieutenant “had allowed and acquiesced to the free operation of this armed group in the area,” and that “he was aware of the activities undertaken by this group, and that and he showed his approval”. Additionally, the abovementioned court affirmed that Lieutenant Andrade “patrol[led] the area and held all types of meetings with people who were obviously wearing uniforms and bearing arms illegally, and who formed what witnesses compared to a real army.” 96. The support that State agents provided to the paramilitary group which carried out the massacre, and the relationship existing between them, complied with the abovementioned counter-guerrilla regulations. Lieutenant Luis Enrique Andrade declared in the ordinary criminal proceedings brought against him, that he “used Julián Jaimes [, commander of the “Los Masetos” paramilitary group] as an informant for the Military base, and for this reason, he provided Mr. Jaimes with a uniform and arms required to act as a guide to locate the guerrillas.”68 For his part, Lieutenant Andrade’s defense counsel argued 66 Cf. judgment issued on February 1, 1996 by the Third Division of the Contentious Administrative Courts of the Council of State (record of evidences to the application, volume II, evidence A82, pages 1110 and 1112). 67 Cf. judgment issued on November 14, 1990 by the Superior Tribunal of Public Order (record of evidences to the application, volume I, evidence A32, pages 499, 501 and 502). 68 Cf. supra note 67 (page 499).