ELN guerillas say Luis Díaz’s father to be freed – report

A representative of Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas announced on Thursday that they will release the father of Liverpool star Luis Díaz, who was kidnapped in northern Colombia. This news comes after the Colombian government held the ELN responsible for the abduction of the father of the Colombia national team forward.

The spokesperson for ELN, Juan Carlos Cuellar, confirmed during a community meeting that Díaz’s father will be freed “as soon as possible.” Reuters shared a video clip of Cuellar making the announcement on behalf of ELN.

In response, the government’s peace delegation, currently engaged in negotiations with ELN, released a statement acknowledging that the kidnapping was committed by a unit belonging to ELN.

Otty Patiño, the leader of the peace delegation, stated, “We demand the immediate release of Mr. Luis Manuel Díaz by the ELN. They will be held entirely responsible for ensuring his safety and well-being.”

Last Saturday, both of Liverpool’s Díaz parents were kidnapped by armed men on motorcycles at a gas station in Barrancas, a small town. Fortunately, Díaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued within hours by the police, who established roadblocks in the area. However, Díaz’s father remained missing, leading to a search by special forces in the mountain range that spans between Colombia and Venezuela, known for its dense cloud forest. Additionally, a reward of $48,000 was offered by the police for any information regarding the whereabouts of Díaz’s father.

Luis Díaz is a standout player on Colombia’s national team and currently plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League. He joined the club last year in a record-breaking $67 million deal.

Due to the circumstances, Díaz was absenct from Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. In a majestic show of solidarity with their teammate, after scoring the first goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory, Díaz’s fellow players held up one of his jerseys on the pitch.

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.