- Luis Diaz’s father has been rescued after being kidnapped on October 28
- Liverpool Football Club have shared their delight at his ‘safe return’
- DOMINIC KING: I don’t understand what football is anymore – It all comes to the surface
Liverpool Football Club have shared their delight at the news that Luis Diaz’s father has finally been released by kidnappers, almost two weeks after he was captured.
News emerged that Luis Manuel Diaz had been taken into custody by a ‘Humanitarian Commission’ consisting of the Catholic Church and the UN on Thursday.
The 58-year-old was taken along with the attacker’s mother when they went to get watermelons at a gas station on Saturday, October 28.
Diaz watched as his mother was rescued for hours after she was kidnapped, but his father remained missing for 12 days.
However, it has now been revealed that Diaz’s father has been rescued and taken to a nearby town for medical checks, with the family already on their way to visit him.
Liverpool Football Club have shared their delight at the news that Luis Diaz’s father has finally been released from kidnappers – almost two weeks after he was captured
News emerged that Luis Manuel Diaz (right) had been taken into the hands of a ‘Humanitarian Commission’ consisting of the Catholic Church and the UN on Thursday.
Liverpool Football Club shared their joy on social media, praising those involved for his ‘safe return’.
They shared the following statement: “We are thrilled by the news of the safe return of Luis Diaz’s father and thank everyone involved in securing his release.”
Meanwhile, a statement from the Colombian Football Federation read: ‘The Colombian Football Federation thanks the National Government, the Armed Forces and the National Police, as well as all the institutions and officials who made possible the release of Luís Manuel Díaz, the father of our player Luís. Diaz, possibly.
‘Football as a sporting discipline symbolizes talent, dedication, teamwork and the intrinsic values of man. In Colombia it must remain a benchmark for entertainment, healthy competition, unity and joy.
“We therefore emphasize the need to maintain this activity, as well as those involved in it, in the sporting and administrative part and their families, outside of any scenario other than sports.”
The statement continued: “Behind a ball roll the dreams and illusions of boys and girls, youth, women, men and adult footballers, their loved ones and an entire country. Football is passion in peace. Let no one ever think of attacking that reality again!’
Diaz Snr received medical care on the mountainside after a helicopter took off to rescue him
Earlier in the afternoon, Colombian media reported that the process “of freeing Diaz’s father has begun.”
They added that a helicopter had taken off from the town of Valledupar to a meeting point where ELN officers would organize the transfer.
The radar showed the helicopter circling close to the Venezuelan border in the Perija Mountains, where the transfer is believed to have taken place.
Images after the handover showed Diaz Sr in a khaki jacket, a Hugo Boss t-shirt and a Chicago Bulls cap, flanked by two men who appeared to be priests.
He was then seen on the ground having his blood pressure taken by a female official near what appeared to be a mountainside hiking trail.
The family is expected to be reunited with Diaz Sr in Valledupar.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro greeted the news with a message on social media platform X, writing: “Long live freedom and peace.”