Police captured the alleged murderer of Colombian journalist Argemiro Cardenas Agudelo in western Risaralda Department this Sunday.
Jhon Alexander Jaramillo, alias “Jhon,” accepted the charge of aggravated murder and apologized to the Cardenas family after he was arrested Sunday.
Cardenas was the manager of Metro Radio and the former mayor of Dosquebradas in the western Risaralda deparment, he was shot and killed on his way to a meeting last Thursday.
The police attribute the quick identification and location of 24-year old Alexander to information supplied by the public, after a reward of up to five million pesos ($2840) was offered following Cardenas’ death.
Police Commander Gonzalo Londoño told local media that after the shooting 24-year old Alexander threatened the owners of a nearby restaurant with a gun, as he waited for authorities to leave the area. After departing the restaurant, Alexander is thought to have moved to another location where he handed over the murder weapon and received payment for the murder.
Mayor of Dosquebradas praised the work of police, saying, “We are pleased with these results, the result of this investigative work will offer the people of Dosquebradas peace, and says that no murder will go unpunished.”
Special Relations for the Interamerican Commission for the Freedom of Expression (CIDH) condemned the journalist’s murder and asked authorities for “diligent, timely, and comprehensive” investigation, say that they had not ruled out the possibility that the crime was related to Cardenas’ journalistic work.
Colombian authorities are now investigating who planned and paid for the murder.