Liverpool

Luis Diaz's father to be released by kidnappers

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 04 November 2023

The Colombian guerrilla group ELN confirms that they will begin the process to release the father of Liverpool's Luis Diaz following last weekend's kidnapping.

The father of Liverpool and Colombia attacker Luis Diaz will soon be freed by the ELN guerrilla group who kidnapped him and his wife, the National Liberation Army have confirmed in a statement.

Diaz's parents were both taken - allegedly at gunpoint - while refuelling their truck in Barrancas last weekend, and the winger has not been involved in either of his side's last two games.

The harrowing news came on the morning of Liverpool's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, where Diogo Jota held up Diaz's jersey in support of his teammate after opening the scoring.

Diaz's mother was soon found safe and was rescued, but his father remained missing, seeing Diaz remain absent for Wednesday's 2-1 EFL Cup fourth-round win over Bournemouth.

A massive military search was triggered to locate Diaz's father, whom authorities believed could have been taken to Venezuela, and a reward of approximately £40,000 was offered for any information leading to his rescue.

The guerrilla group ELN were soon identified as the culprits, and the Colombian government began negotiations with the faction, who are classified as a terrorist organisation by the European Union.

Diaz was advised not to travel back to South America out of fear for his safety, but a statement from the group has now been released to El Colombiano, claiming that they will soon begin the process to free Diaz's father.

Liverpool's Diogo Jota holds up a Luis Diaz shirt after scoring their first goal on October 28, 2023 © Reuters

"We salute Colombia and the Caribbean. We are in solidarity with the families who experience pain and tragedies due to unemployment, the criminal violence of paramilitarism and the abandonment of the State. The corruption of political clans is the main threat to the stability of the region," the statement read.

"The Northern War Front has commands with economic missions and one of them carries out a privation of freedom, which, after being reported and verified that it is the priest of Lucho Diaz, is guided by his release because he is a family member of the great sportsman that we all love as Colombians.

"From that moment on, the release process begins and we want to avoid any incident. Firm in the search for the paths of peace, with the necessary transformations that the country needs. From the Caribbean."

Prior to the group's statement, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revealed that Diaz had been in training ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Luton Town, but it would be up to the 26-year-old to decide whether he is ready to return to competitive action.

Diaz has played 58 times for Liverpool since arriving from Porto in a £40.8m deal in January 2022, scoring 14 goals and setting up nine more while winning the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield.

The winger also has nine goals to show from 43 senior appearances for Colombia, whom he represented at the Copa America in 2019 and 2021.