Terror gang vows to keep its promise to Luis Diaz

The terrorist group responsible for the kidnapping of Luis Manuel Diaz, Liverpool winger, Luis Diaz’s father, has pledged to “keep their word” and release him following an emotional appeal from the Liverpool footballer.

Luis Diaz issued a heartfelt plea after scoring a stoppage-time equalizer against Luton on Sunday.

The left-wing National Liberation Army (ELN) issued its first official statement since promising to initiate the process of securing the release of Luis Manuel Diaz nearly four days ago.

However, the group expressed frustration with the government’s response, which involved securing areas in the victim’s home region of La Guajira with elite police and soldiers, including the Perija Mountains near Barrancas.

The ELN insisted on receiving “security guarantees” before releasing the 58-year-old hostage, indicating their concern for their own safety if they were to hand Mr. Diaz over.

Luis Diaz, the Liverpool star, broke his silence on his father’s kidnapping with an emotional social media message, urging the group to promptly release him.

He emphasized the human side of the situation, saying,

“This is not Luis Diaz the player speaking. Today it is the son of Luis Manuel Diaz speaking.”

He described his father as a hard-working family man, the pillar of their family, and appealed to the ELN and international organizations to work together for his father’s freedom.

The ELN, in response, stated that they initiated the process to release Luis Manuel Diaz on November 2 and are making efforts to avoid confrontations with government forces in the militarized area.

They explained that the ongoing military operations and intense search efforts were impeding the release process and increasing risks.

Despite the challenges, the ELN reaffirmed their commitment to releasing Luis Manuel Diaz when they have the necessary security guarantees for the operation’s safe development.

Luis Diaz made a dramatic return to the pitch on Sunday versus Luton Town, scoring a 95th-minute equalizer for Liverpool to rescue his team.

He used the moment to send a message by lifting his Liverpool shirt, which read in Spanish, “Freedom for Papa.”

His mother, Cilenis Marulanda, who was briefly abducted alongside her husband, appealed for his release during a march, expressing her desire to have him back home.

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Respected Colombian media outlet Semana reported that the kidnapping had been meticulously planned for five months, with ELN members surveilling Luis Manuel Diaz to understand his routine and gather information about his movements and associates.

Authorities in Colombia have offered a reward of up to 200 million Colombian pesos for information, and the police continue to search areas like the Perija Mountains along the border with Venezuela, using sniffer dogs in the operation.

Contrary to earlier speculation, Luis Diaz’s father is believed to still be in Colombia.