Authorities arrest Buenaventura car bomb suspect

Authorities on Saturday announced the capture of a man thought to be responsible for a detonating a car bomb in Buenaventura last Wednesday that left nine people dead and 59 injured, reported Colombian media.

The incident occurred in the morning hours of Wednesday when a vehicle loaded with explosives was detonated in the centre of Buenaventura, located in the western Colombian department of Valle del Cauca.

The bomb killed nine civilians, as well as substantially damaging property located within a three-block radius, two taxis, a van and a motorcycle.

After four days of investigation, police captured Jairo Andres Castaño in the Terron Colorado neighborhood of the Valle capital, who is suspected of loading and detonating the car bomb.

Investigations are underway to identify whether the detained man is a member of Colombian guerrilla group the FARC.

Authorities also announced on Thursday that the victims of the attack would receive compensation of up to $10,000 from the state.

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