Luis Diaz: Liverpool midfielder’s parents kidnapped in Colombia and father is still missing

The parents of Liverpool midfielder Luis Diaz were kidnapped in Colombia after being stopped by armed men on motorcycles.

His mother was later rescued, but his father is still missing.

Cilenis Marulanda was rescued by police in the city of Barrancas, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said.

“During a padlock operation in Barrancas, Luis Diaz’s mother was rescued, we continue the search for the father,” the president tweeted.

Meanwhile, the country’s police director, General William Salamanca, said he is using every officer he can to find Diaz’s father.

The 26-year-old Colombian international’s parents were reportedly kidnapped as they drove to their home.

Initial reports say they were at a gas station aboard a truck when they were approached by armed men riding motorcycles.

Army resources have been deployed together with the police.

The Colombian Football Federation called the kidnapping regrettable and urged authorities to rescue the father.

“The Colombian Football Federation rejects the security situation that the parents of our player Luis Díaz are going through,” a statement said.

“From the FCF, we express our solidarity with him and his entire family, and we call on the relevant authorities to act as quickly as possible to resolve the situation.”

The Colombian Attorney General’s Office also said in a statement: “From the moment the Colombian Public Prosecutor’s Office learned of the kidnapping of the parents of Colombian player Luis Díaz in the Barrancas area of ​​La Guajira, a specialized team of Prosecutors, CTI (Technical Investigation Team officials) and police and military investigators have taken urgent action to locate these individuals, clarify the chain of events and identify the perpetrators.

A statement from Liverpool added: “It is our fervent hope that the matter is resolved safely and as quickly as possible. In the meantime, the player’s welfare will remain our immediate priority.”