Colombians are demanding the suspension of the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Brazil unless the kidnappers of Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s father release him.
Colombia’s ambassador to Britain, Roy Barreras, backed the campaign from London on Friday evening, insisting the November 17 match would not go ahead unless Luis Manuel Diaz is a free man by that date.
Brazilian star Romario famously called a press conference and threatened to boycott the national team before the 1994 World Cup when kidnappers abducted his father and demanded $7 million for his release.
The gang responsible freed him within 48 hours and Romario led his country to its fourth World Cup title.
The ELN, the left-wing insurgent group behind the latest horror kidnapping in Mr Diaz’s hometown of Barrancas on Saturday afternoon, has announced it is “initiating” the release process.
Luis Manuel Diaz, the father of Liverpool star Luis Diaz, was kidnapped in Barrancas a week ago
The hunt for Diaz Snr and his captors has been intense and far-reaching, both in Colombia and on the Venezuelan border.
Brazilian star Romario saw his own father kidnapped ahead of the 1994 World Cup after threatening to boycott the national team (pictured that year)
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It has blamed the kidnapping on a regional unit called the Northern War Front and said his promised release was motivated by the fact that he was “a relative of a great sportsman loved by all Colombians.”
But the statement attributed to the ELN, and signed by a Northern War Front commander named Jose Manuel Martinez Quiroz, has raised concerns about its authenticity because it is dated November 2.
Its existence came to light late Friday in Colombia and government experts are said to be still trying to verify its bona fides.
Roy Barreras gathered almost 100 compatriots last night, including Brighton footballer Jorelyn Carabali, a central defender for the Colombian national women’s team, to lead the call for the suspension of the match between Colombia and Brazil if Luis Manuel Diaz remains in just under a fortnight. continues to be held captive. time.
Shouting “Liberen Luis ya” – Spanish for “Free Luis Now” in a video he posted on he is better known in his home country: ‘From London we demand the ELN release of Lucho Diaz’s father before November 17 and if they do not demand that Colombia not play the qualifier against Brazil until he is released.
“We have brought together footballers, coaches and foundations committed to football as an instrument of peace to demand the release of Luis Diaz.”
The ELN, designated a terrorist organization by the US government and the EU, has claimed it was unaware one of its factions was behind the kidnapping until the Colombian government blamed them and promised late Thursday that Luis’ father would be killed. would be released as soon as possible. before the official statement appeared.
A female guerrilla fighter known only by her alias Patricia has been identified in Colombian media reports as the woman who orchestrated the kidnapping of Luis Manuel Diaz from a gas station in Barrancas. His wife Cilenis Marulanda was also snatched but released hours later.
Colombian police and military services joined forces to comb through cities and jungle
Since last Saturday, a groundswell of support for Diaz Snr has emerged across the country
The player, nicknamed ‘Lucho’, is a beloved member of the Colombian national team
One of the reasons why critics have questioned the idea of a quick release is that the Northern War Front, the Frente de Guerra Norte in Spanish, has a representative in the ongoing peace talks between the ELN and the government, which began after the guerrilla group declared a unilateral ceasefire during the Covid pandemic.
He has been named by Colombian media outlet Semana as Bernardo Tellez, who claims that his presence among ELN representatives at the negotiating table shows that the insurgents have no real desire to free Luis Diaz’s father unless they are given a lot of money to do so . leaders have little control over their regional units.
What little has emerged about Patricia, besides a grainy photo of her in military gear, indicates that she took up arms in 2006 and rose through the ranks of the ELN to become leader of the December 6 Front and then a high-ranking member of the Northern Front. War front.
She is said to have fought for 26 years for the violent guerrilla organization that finances itself through criminal practices, including extortion and kidnapping.
Analysts were quick to point out that unlike the centrally led FARC, Colombia’s other rebel group fighting the government, the ELN operates as a federation with regional units that enjoy a high degree of autonomy and often implement different strategies depending on their local needs.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed from Washington on Friday during an official state visit that the kidnappers have not so far fulfilled their release promises and warned that the situation of Luis Manuel Diaz is becoming “very dangerous”.
He said: “The authorship of the ELN means that today the ELN is responsible for the life of Luis Diaz’s father.
“It has committed an act that is contrary to the peace process.
“I must express my deepest rejection, not only because I kidnapped Luis’ father, but also because in the subsequent developments they failed to free him.
“A wish has been expressed on the part of the ELN leaders to free him as soon as possible.”
But the hours pass, and as this continues over time, the situation Mr. Diaz finds himself in becomes very dangerous.
On Tuesday, Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda – who was also taken hostage on Saturday but quickly released – led a march to demand her husband’s freedom.
Hundreds of community members in Barrancas carried white and lighted candles in tribute
A reward of almost £40,000 is being offered for any information on Diaz Snr’s location
Colombian Police Director General William Rene Salamanca spoke with Diaz Jr. last weekend
The player was photographed during training on Friday after taking a compassionate farewell following the kidnapping
Petro revealed on Thursday that he had personally spoken to Luis Diaz to reassure him about the government’s efforts to free his father. The footballer spoke to the director of the Colombian National Police shortly after his father was kidnapped on Saturday.
William Rene Salamanca Ramirez told the troubled striker that everything was being done to find the missing 58-year-old.
On Friday, the 26-year-old winger was photographed training with his Liverpool teammates after missing the two games against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth following the kidnapping of his father.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he will let the footballer decide when he is ready to play again. The team will play against Luton on Sunday.