Luis Diaz’s father has been freed by his kidnappers, Colombia’s government and national football federation have confirmed.
Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN), the guerrilla group behind the armed capture of Luis Manuel Diaz nearly two weeks ago, have released the Liverpool star’s father.
Diaz was seized at gunpoint by the ELN on 28 October along with his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, who was freed by police within hours.
The government said in a statement that it had held peace talks with the ELN and was celebrating Diaz’s release.
A statement from the Colombian Football Federation said: “We appreciate the national government, the military and the national police, as well as all the institutes and individuals which made possible the freedom of Luis Manuel Diaz, father of our footballer Luis Diaz.”
Diaz made an emotional appeal for his father’s release after scoring a late equaliser for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw against Luton on Sunday.
The 26-year-old marked the goal by revealing a T-shirt bearing a message reading ‘Freedom for Dad’ and then made a statement calling for the “prompt release” of his dad.
Diaz was named in Liverpool’s starting line-up for their Europa League clash against Toulouse, which kicks off an hour after Diaz’s father’s release was confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
The ELN said they would release Diaz as long as they received security guarantees from the Colombian government, and claimed they informed the Colombian authorities on 2 November of their intention to release Diaz Sr.
On Thursday, local media in Colombia showed Diaz’s father at an airstrip in the city of Valledupar after he descended from a helicopter.
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