Luis Diaz’s father was kidnapped in Colombia last month. Special forces searched a mountain range on the border with Venezuela. The police offered a £39,000 ($48,000) reward for information.
The father of Luis Diaz from Liverpool has been released by kidnappers. This has been confirmed by the Colombian Football Federation.
Luís Manuel Díaz was held captive for 13 days by the guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN). He was taken from a petrol station in Colombia near the Venezuela border.
Luis Diaz’s mother was also kidnapped but was rescued within hours after the police set up roadblocks.
The Liverpool forward and Colombia international scored a late equaliser at Luton on Sunday. After the goal, he revealed a message under his shirt that said “Freedom for Dad.”
Diaz came back to Colombia before Liverpool’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest. He didn’t play in the Carabao Cup victory against Bournemouth. Later, he told Jurgen Klopp that he wanted to be considered for the Luton trip. At that time, there were indications that negotiations between officials and the radical left-wing rebels had been positive.
Alfonso Diaz, Diaz’s uncle, said: “It has truly been an anxious few days, with very great anxiety. I always had faith in God that this had to happen in the best way. Our family does not deserve an outrage of such magnitude.”
Diaz is starting for Liverpool in their Europa League game in Toulouse, which kicks off at 5.45pm on Thursday.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told TNT Sports before the game: “It looks like Luis [Diaz] is really happy, thumbs up all of the time so it looks very good but I’m not the one to release anything.
“Timing wise it couldn’t have been better.”
Asked if Diaz is in a great headspace, Klopp replied: “Yes, you ask him, he wants to [play], so good and he will.”
Luis Manuel Diaz and his wife Cilenis Marulanda were abducted by armed individuals on motorcycles at a gas station in Barrancas, La Guajira, near the Venezuela border, on Saturday, October 28th.
She was rescued soon after the police set up roadblocks. However, it was unclear where her husband was.
Otty Patino, who was leading the peace talks, said at the time: “We demand that the ELN releases immediately Mr Luis Manuel Diaz and we say as of now that they are entirely responsible to secure his life and integrity.”
On the next Tuesday, the player asked the people who had captured his father to set him free. Meanwhile, his mother, uncle, and other family members gathered for a vigil.
He posted an Instagram story with details of the event and the caption: “Bring your candle to light the light of hope – free him now!”
Special forces were deployed to search for Mr Diaz. They conducted air and land patrols in a mountain range that spans both Colombia and Venezuela. The police director of Colombia pledged to use all available agents to locate him.
Officials are unsure if he has been smuggled across the border, which would make it difficult for Colombian police to find him. A reward of $48,000 (£39,000) is being offered for information on his whereabouts.
However, on Thursday November 9 he was returned to his family. Reports say he was given to the UN humanitarian commission, the church and medical staff in the Serrania del Perija region.
Statement: Colombia FA confirms the release of Luis Diaz’s father
“The Colombian Football Federation thanks the National Government, the Military Forces and the National Police, as well as all the institutions and officials that made the release of Luís Manuel Díaz, father of our player Luís Díaz, possible,” read a statement released on Thursday.
“Football as a sporting discipline symbolizes talent, dedication, teamwork and the intrinsic values of human beings. In Colombia it must continue to be a benchmark for entertainment, healthy competition, unity and joy.
“Therefore, we insist on the need to maintain this activity, as well as those who are involved in it, in the sporting and administrative part and their families, outside of any scenario other than sports.
“Behind a ball, the dreams and illusions of boys and girls, young people, women, men and adult soccer players, their loved ones and an entire country roll.
“Football is passion in peace. Let no one ever think of attacking that reality again.”
The Colombian president Gustavo Petro added: “long live freedom and peace”.
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