The Colombian rebels allegedly behind the kidnapping of Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s father have warned his planned release is at risk and could now be delayed.
Guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) said on Thursday it intended to release Luis Manuel Diaz “as soon as possible” following his abduction on Saturday 28 October in the town of Barrancas, near Colombia’s border with Venezuela.
But late on Sunday night, the rebels said its plans were in jeopardy due to the ongoing presence of government security forces in the region.
It comes after the Premier League star made his first appearance on a football pitch since the kidnapping, when he came on as a substitute to score a late equaliser in his side‘s 1-1 draw at Luton Town on Sunday evening.
After scoring, the winger lifted his shirt to reveal the message “libertad para papa” – meaning “freedom for my father”.
But in a new statement, the ELN said it would now only release the Colombia international’s father if government forces backed off from the region.
They said: “The area is still militarised, there are flyovers, deployment of troops, megaphone broadcasts, offers of rewards and an intense combing operation…
“If operations continue in the area, the release will be delayed and risks will increase.”
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Pic: @PoliciaColombia
Colombia’s government blamed the ELN for the kidnapping last week, although the reason why the group took him has been unclear.
However the rebels have long been accused of funding their operations with kidnappings, as well as via extortion and drug trafficking.
A ceasefire is currently in place between government forces and the ELN while peace talks continue to end the country‘s six-decades of civil war, which has involved multiple groups and left an estimated 450,000 people dead.
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Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was also taken by the kidnappers last month – but was rescued within hours after police set up roadblocks.
She was among family members who led a vigil last week pleading for her husband’s release.
Diaz missed two Liverpool matches following the kidnapping but returned to training last Wednesday.
Following Sunday’s Premier League clash against Luton, the 26-year-old issued a new passionate plea calling for his father’s release – and also called on “international organisations to intervene”.
He added: “Every second, every minute our anguish grows; my mother, my brothers and I are desperate, anguished and without words to describe what we are feeling.
“This suffering will only end when we have him back home.”
