Following his tearful victory over Luton Town, Luis Diaz receives the worst news from Colombia
The father of Liverpool football player Luis Diaz is being held captive by military air and ground operations in a northern Colombian region, according to the National Liberation Army (ELN), a leftist rebel group that has stated its desire to free Diaz immediately and safely. Along with his wife Cilenis Marulanda, who was freed hours later, Luis Manuel Diaz, 58, was abducted by members of the rebel organisation in the municipality of Barrancas, in the department of Guajira, and held captive for almost a week.
Following accusations by the Colombian government that it was detaining Diaz against the terms of a bilateral ceasefire agreement and demanding his immediate release, the ELN acknowledged last week that it had kidnapped him and said it would release him shortly. “We are working to prevent conflicts with government forces,” an ELN statement that was made public on Sunday evening stated.
“They are still conducting overflights, landing troops, soundings, providing rewards, and a vigorous raking operation; the zone is still becoming militarised. The emancipation plan cannot be carried out in a timely and risk-free manner in this situation. “Ongoing operations in the region will heighten the risks and postpone the liberation,” he continued. Antonio García, the supreme commander of the ELN, stated in a social media post that “it was a mistake” to keep Luis Díaz’s father, referring to him as a “symbol of Colombia”.
The unfortunate
Following his goal in the 1-1 Premier League draw against Luton Town, the Liverpool striker showed off a T-shirt that said “Freedom for Dad” and that message was released by the guerilla group. In a statement, the striker demanded that the ELN free his father.
