Pleas to release father of Liverpool Footballer Luis Diaz
He was kidnapped by a guerrilla group in Columbia
Last updated 6th Nov 2023
Colombian-born Liverpool footballer Luis Díaz has made a heartfelt plea for the immediate release of his kidnapped father, who was abducted by the left-wing guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN.)
His mother and father were both captured on Saturday 28th October in his home country.
While Díaz's mother has been found, his father remains missing.
Diaz scored the all-important stoppage time equalizer against Luton last night (Sunday 5th) and revealed a message on his shirt 'LIBERTADA PARA PAPA' or 'FREEDOM FOR PAPA' in English.
The striker followed up the goal with an instagram post reading:
"Today the footballer is not speaking to you. Today Lucho Diaz, the son of Luis Manuel Diaz, is speaking to you.
"Mane, my dad, is a tireless worker, a pillar in the family and he has been kidnapped.
"I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organisations to work together for his freedom.
"Every second, every minute, our anguish grows. My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, distressed and without words to describe what we are feeling. This suffering will only end when we have him back home.
"I beg you to release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait as soon as possible.
"In the name of love and compassion, we ask that you reconsider your actions and allow us to recover him.
"I thank Colombians and the international community for the support received, thank you for so many demonstrations of affection and solidarity in this difficult time that many families in my country find themselves living."
The Colombian government has deployed security forces to secure the release of Díaz's father, and the ELN has reportedly indicated they will release him in the near future.
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