Luis Diaz’s father kidnapped by terrorist group as Colombian media issue update on his release
Luis Diaz’s father, Manuel, is reportedly set to be released imminently after the Colombian government confirmed that he had been kidnapped by a terrorist group.
Both of the Liverpool star’s parents were abducted at a petrol station on Saturday, though his mother was released the same day.
However, his father has still not been found, with the Colombian government launching a huge search in the the northern La Guajira region of the country.
While the government have also confirmed that that the National Liberation Army (ELN) criminal group are behind the kidnappings.
According to Colombian outlet El Tiempo, the group will cooperate with the police and coordinate the return of Manuel ‘in the next few hours’.
Meanwhile, Colombian journalist Vicky Davila has claimed that the ELN was unaware that they themselves had kidnapped him and assured that they will ask for his release immediately.
The government were informed of the fact the ELN were responsible while holding peace talks with the group.
Government representative Otty Patino, who is in charge of the talks, said on Thursday: “Today we have officially learned that the kidnapping carried out on October 28, in Barrancas, department of La Guajira, of which Luis Manuel Díaz and Cilenis Marulanda, father and mother of the soccer player Luis Fernando, were victims Díaz Marulanda, was perpetrated by a unit belonging to the ELN.
“Although Mrs. Marulanda was released a few hours later, the player’s father has been kidnapped for five days. As a delegation of the National Government for peace talks with the ELN, we express all our solidarity with Luis Díaz, his family, with the entire country and with the millions of followers of the player in the world.
“We demand that the ELN immediately release Mr. Luis Manuel Diaz, and we remind him that it is his entire responsibility to guarantee his life and integrity. We remind the ELN that kidnapping is a criminal practice, violative of International Humanitarian Law, and that it is its duty in the development of the current peace process, not only to stop carrying it out, but also to eliminate it forever.
“As part of the development of the agreement on the Ceasefire, our delegation will present this case to the current Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, and will carry out all necessary actions to achieve the immediate release and with guarantee of the life and integrity of Mr. Díaz.”
Both Diaz’s mother and father were taken by armed gunmen on motorbikes while travelling from their home in Barrancas on Saturday.
His mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued after the Colombian attorney general’s office assembled a team of investigators to look for the couple.
The player’s father, Luis Manuel Diaz, was later rescued on Sunday morning following a deadly shootout between the kidnappers and the Colombian police.
The Mirror has reported that local media from the La Guajira region claim Diaz’s father was freed following a police rescue mission, which resulted in the deaths of two of the four kidnappers.
The incident is said to have taken place in an area called Los Barrancones, near Colombia’s border with Venezuela.
It is claimed the kidnappers intended to smuggle Diaz’s father into the neighbouring country.
There is yet to be official confirmation that Diaz’s father has been rescued by the local authorities.
Diaz himself is yet to comment but Liverpool have released a club statement confirming the club is supporting the winger.
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia,” read the statement.
“It is our fervent hope that the matter is resolved safely and at the earliest possible opportunity. In the meantime, the player’s welfare will continue to be our immediate priority.”
A man described as the best friend of Luis Manuel Diaz told a Colombian radio station the footballer’s parents had kidnapped while filling up their car at a petrol station.
Victor Medina said: “It was 5.30pm local time on Saturday. They had filled up with petrol and then went to a neighbourhood nearby to collect something from a relative of Celinis. There the captors arrived, four men on motorbikes.
“They threatened them with weapons, made them get into the same vehicle and sped off with the other two on a motorbike tailing them. They headed for a rural area. The authorities were informed and there was a chase.”
When asked if there was a shoot-out between the captors and authorities before Cilenis was rescued, Medina added: “I haven’t had the chance to speak to her yet.
“It’s a difficult situation. She’s back at home with doctors because we know she arrived quite distressed after what has been a trauma for her. We’re just waiting for everything to calm down a bit before we speak with her.”
He added: “Luis Manuel Diaz is a person who is much loved in Barrancas and there’s never been any talk of threats. He and his family are highly appreciated in this municipality and that is why he always felt calm and safe here.”
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