In a dramatic conclusion to a harrowing twelve-day ordeal, the father of Liverpool striker Luis Díaz has been released from captivity in Colombia. The Colombian government confirmed on Thursday that the senior Díaz was abducted in the northern region of the country by members of the ELN (National Liberation Army) militia.
Diaz celebrated with a shirt that read, “Freedom for my father.”-Source: X
The release was publicized by the government delegates currently engaged in peace negotiations with the ELN, bringing an end to an incident that garnered global attention since Luis Manuel Díaz’s kidnapping on October 28 in the small town of Barrancas.
🚨 Luis Manuel Díaz, Lucho’s father, has been released today after spending the last 12 days kidnapped in Colombia.
He’s with the police now after being released, as @VickyDavilaH reports.
Wonderful news for Luis Díaz; his dad and mom are finally both free and safe. pic.twitter.com/VjYxPlx60p
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 9, 2023
The kidnapping came to international prominence when, on November 5, Luis Díaz Jr. leveraged his scoring of a goal in an English Premier League match to appeal for his father’s liberation, unveiling a shirt with the message “Freedom for my Father” written in Spanish.
Initial uncertainties about the kidnappers’ identities were laid to rest last week when the Colombian government cited intelligence linking the abduction to an ELN faction. The rebel group later admitted to the kidnapping, labeling it as a mistake and stating that their high command had ordered Díaz’s release.
The planned release faced setbacks due to military activities in northern Colombia, with the ELN stating on Sunday that they could not guarantee safe release under such conditions. However, the Colombian military announced on Monday that it had adjusted its deployments to facilitate the safe handover of Mr. Díaz.
The story of Luis Díaz’s father’s abduction and subsequent release underscores the ongoing challenges of Colombia’s complex internal conflict, even as peace efforts continue to forge a path forward.
