Luis Diaz sends message to kidnapped father
Luis Diaz's father is being held captive. The Colombian National Liberation Army put forward conditions if the Liverpool winger's parents wanted to be released. Luis Diaz sent a message to his kidnapped father after scoring for Liverpool.
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| Liverpool's Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz flashes a message on his shirt after scoring Sunday against Luton Town in Luton, north of London. (Photo: Justin Tallis / AFP - Getty Images) |
Launching ESPN, the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), or the National Liberation Army of Colombia, released a statement about the delay in the release of Luis Diaz's father. The rebel group put forward security-related conditions.
The kidnapping group promised to release Luis Manuel Diaz soon
"Areas are still being militarised, they are carrying low-flying aircraft, deploying troops, there is a megaphone network, offering rewards, and staging intense sweeping operations," the ELN said.
"If operations in the region continue, then the release will be delayed and the risk will increase," the ELN threatened.
Earlier, the kidnapping group promised to immediately release Luis Manuel Diaz, Luis Diaz's father. They promised it last week.
Also, read: Luton Town vs Liverpool: 1-1.
Luis Diaz's parents were kidnapped while driving in the La Guajira neighborhood, Colombia, on Oct. 28, 2023. The player's mother, Cilenis Marulanda, has been released, but his father is still held captive today.
The Colombian government later accused the ELN of the kidnapping. Police and the military then worked hand in hand to find the family of the Reds winger, with the community also urging the kidnappers to release him.
The ELN later confirmed the allegations of kidnapping Luis Diaz's parents. However, they promised to release him soon. The motive is unclear, but according to reports, the group earned money to carry out its activities with kidnapping and drug trafficking.
Luis Diaz missed Liverpool's Premier League and League Cup games against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth. The 26-year-old winger only played against Luton Town in the Premier League last weekend.
Luis Diaz, who scored the 1-1 equalizer against Luton, celebrated for his father. He wore a costume with the words Libertad Para Papa, which means "Free My Father".