VIDEO | This is how alias Sebastián, accused of the attack in Cali that left six dead, was captured: the community detained him after the explosion

Amidst the chaos and indignation caused by the terrorist attack in front of the Marco Fidel Suárez Air Base in Cali, which left at least six dead and more than 60 injured, the community of the La Base neighborhood played a key role: the detention and subsequent handover to the authorities of Walter Steban Yonda Ipia, alias Sebastián, one of the alleged perpetrators of the attack.

The capture of the 23-year-old young man, originally from Corinto, Cauca, occurred minutes after the explosion. Various videos shared on social media show the moment when residents of the area intercept him, beat him, and immobilize him on the ground, before police officers arrived to formally detain him.

“This is one of the alleged perpetrators of the bombing attack in Cali with a truck bomb, captured by the community at the scene,” declared President Gustavo Petro on his official X account, along with a photograph of the suspect."

Alias Sebastián, alleged member of the EMC

According to preliminary information from authorities, alias Sebastián would have connections with the Central Staff (EMC) of the dissidents of the Farc, under the command of alias Marlon. This structure, known as Jaime Martínez, would be subordinate to the so-called Drug Trafficking Board. The Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Defense are handling this line as the main hypothesis behind the attack.

Witnesses claim that the young man would have been involved in the logistics of the attack, including the location of the trucks loaded with explosives. One of these did not manage to detonate.

Government’s response: militarization and rewards

President Petro traveled to Cali after the attack and led an extraordinary security council meeting with Mayor Alejandro Eder, military leaders, and representatives from the Attorney General’s Office. During the meeting, emergency measures were defined:

• Partial militarization of Cali
• Closure of Eighth Avenue, site of the attack
• Reward of up to 400 million pesos for information that leads to the identification of the direct perpetrators
• Reward of over 3.2 billion pesos for the capture of alias Marlon

Who is alias Sebastián?

Walter Steban Yonda Ipia is known as Sebastián on social media, although in his hometown he is identified by his real name. His role within the criminal organization is being investigated, although it is presumed that he had a middle management role.

In the videos, he is seen with a head wound, trying to cover his face while surrounded by neighbors from the area. His capture was officially confirmed by the Prosecutor’s Office, which also reported the arrest of another suspect.

Both will be presented before a guarantee judge while investigations into what is already considered one of the worst explosive attacks recorded in Cali in the last decade progress.

Impact on the city

The attack has shaken the capital of Valle del Cauca and has put the national authorities on high alert. The security deployment aims to prevent new attacks, while intelligence agencies track down the leaders of the responsible structure.

So far, the community of the La Base neighborhood has been key in preventing the escape of one of those involved, in an act that has been described as brave, but also highlights the level of tension and insecurity that is experienced in several regions of the country.