Luis Manuel Díaz, the father of Colombian-born Liverpool footballer Luis Díaz, has been released by left-wing guerrillas after being kidnapped 13 days ago. According to police sources and local media, members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) handed him over to United Nations and Catholic church officials. Díaz was abducted in the family’s hometown of Barrancas on 28 October. His mother, who was seized at the same time, was freed within hours.
Local media reported that Mr Díaz was in good health and that there were tearful scenes in the neighbourhood where the couple lived as family members drove through the streets in celebration, many of them dressed in Liverpool team shirts bearing Luis Díaz’s name and number. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that the footballer was “really happy”. The football club issued a statement on Twitter thanking those who secured Díaz’s safe release.
President Gustavo Petro reacted with the message “Long live Freedom and Peace.” The Colombian Football Federation also issued a statement thanking those who secured Díaz’s release and adding, “Football is passion in peace. Let no-one ever think of attacking that reality again.”
The ELN has been fighting the state since 1964, with an estimated 2,500 members. It is most active in the border region with Venezuela, where Luis Manuel Díaz and his wife live. It was Colombia’s main remaining active guerrilla group. Luis Díaz is part of Colombia’s national team and immensely popular in the country. His Liverpool team has shown its unwavering support for him, with Díaz scoring a goal against Luton Town on Sunday, lifting his shirt to reveal the words in Spanish “freedom for papa
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