DIAZ BEGS KIDNAPPERS TO RELEASE DAD DURING FOOTBALL GAME

Liverpool player Luis Diaz caught the attention of thousands of football fans when he scored a point for his team at Luton Town on Sunday.

After scoring a goal, the Colombian player lifted his Liverpool shirt to reveal a shirt with a message asking his dad’s kidnappers to release him.

The 26-year-old’s parents were kidnapped at gunpoint by left-wing guerillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN). The incident happened in the northern province of La Guajira on 26 October.

His mother was freed on the same day, but his father is still missing. The Colombian government has assisted with the search by deploying hundreds of soldiers and police members.

Before they release him, the ELN has demanded “security guarantees”.

In a statement released and signed by ELN’s commander Jose Manuel Martinez Quiroz, the group said they are “making efforts to avoid incidents with government forces”.

“The area is still militarised, they are carrying out flyovers, disembarking troops, broadcasting and offering rewards as part of an intense search operation.”

The commander went on to explain that the situation puts Diaz’s father at risk.

“The situation is not allowing for the execution of the release plan quickly and safely, where Mr Luis Manuel Diaz is not at risk.”

The statement warned that if operations continue in the area, the ELN will delay the release.

Image credit: BNN Breaking