Insurgents in Colombia Free Father of Luis Díaz, a soccer player for Liverpool
The abduction of Luis Manuel Díaz resulted in a crisis in the peace negotiations between the rebels and the communist government.
Columbo, Bogotá—After being abducted 13 days ago, a Marxist rebel group freed the father of European soccer star Luis Díaz on Thursday, causing a stir among Colombians regarding the government’s attempts to negotiate peace with armed organizations.
Luis Manuel Díaz was turned up to two Catholic bishops who were part of a humanitarian team sent to retrieve him by the National Liberation Army, or ELN, a group notorious for kidnappings throughout the majority of its six-decade existence, according to statements from the government and church.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp spoke for the first time since Luis Diaz’s father was freed by kidnappers in Colombia.
On Thursday, Diaz’s father, Luís Manuel Diaz, was released by kidnappers, having spent 13 days in captivity after being snatched by the guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN).
Both of Diaz’s parents were kidnapped at a petrol station in Colombia near the border with Venezuela.
Diaz’s mother was rescued within hours after police set up roadblocks. However, the player’s father was dragged away.
It was revealed that Diaz’s father had been rescued just hours before the Reds’ Europa League encounter with Toulouse.
And on the matter Klopp told TNT Sports: “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, [we] asked him, he wants to [play], so good and he will.”
Diaz scored an emotional late equaliser at Luton on Sunday before revealing a message on his undershirt which read “Libertad Para Papa” (Freedom for Dad).
The kidnapping had been carried out by the ELN, once of Colombia’s few remaining active guerrilla group.
The ELN has been fighting the state since 1964 and has an estimated 2,500 members.
ELN is most active in Colombia’s border region with Venezuela, where Diaz’s parents live.
According to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo there were scenes of jubilation in the neighbourhood where Diaz’s parents live, with family members driving their cars through the streets in celebration.
They were said to be dressed in Liverpool shirts bearing Diaz’s name and the number 23.
The Colombia Football Federation confirmed the release of Diaz’s father on Thursday afternoon.
In a statement they said: “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,.
“Football as a sporting discipline symbolises 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.
Luis Diaz’s father has reportedly been rescued from a kidnapping in Colombia following a shootout that left two of his captors dead.
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.
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