Luis Diaz’s father finally FREED by ELN guerrillas after 12 days as Liverpool star’s dad choppered out of jungle lair
THE dad of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz has finally been released today 12 days after he was kidnapped by ELN guerrillas in Colombia.
Footage showed helicopters circling the border area between La Guajira and Cesar where the kidnappers would hand over Luis Manuel Díaz Jimenez.
Colombian media report that after 12 days the 58-year-old is now safe at the hands of a UN committee.
The release happened after it was agreed a commission from the United Nations and the Catholic Church would liaise with the ELN.
The helicopter was waiting at the Valledupar airport after it was agreed the ELN would hand over the hostage to the committee somewhere in the Serranía del Perijá.
Only humanitarian workers and the helicopter crew were allowed onboard the aircraft which is set to take the 58-year-old to a hospital for a checkup following his ordeal.
The Colombian government announced on Wednesday that the operation to release Luis Mane Diaz had already begun but it was actually today when the Liverpool star’s dad was freed.
The rebel group had admitted snatching Diaz was a “mistake” and promised to release him as soon as possible last week but it has taken them till today to free him.
A potential reason for the delay could be a suspected war that has broken out between leaders of the Northern War Front over the ransom for Diaz’s release.
Colombian authorities have offered a reward of $200,000,000 Pesos (£40,600) for Diaz’s return.
Luis Manuel Díaz Jimenez was taken hostage at gunpoint alongside his wife on October 28 in Barrancas.
Diaz’s mum was left in the car and saved by police but left-wing ELN fighters dragged the father away following a pursuit.
But he was released today after being held captive for 12 days.
CCTV footage showed the Díazes being followed by men on motorbikes in their hometown of Barrancas, in the northern province of La Guajira.
Gunmen then accosted the couple at a petrol station, leaving the mother, before police closed in.
Police combed the mountainous Serranía del Perijá area for Diaz during a frantic week-long hunt.
The kidnap sparked outrage in Colombia, where Luis Diaz is immensely popular and plays for the national team.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp dedicated Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League victory over Forest to Díaz, saying it was “for our brother”.
The kidnap is believed to have been masterminded by a female guerrilla fighter called Patricia.
The 40-year-old has spent more than half her life trying to overthrow the Colombian government and install a communist regime.
The guerrilla group has a decades-long history of terror – carrying out military-style assassinations, extortion operations and kidnappings.
It comes after the Colombian military withdrew its troops from the area surrounding the guerillas’ jungle lair.
They confirmed soldiers and police hunting for his kidnappers had been ordered out of the area the nine-day hunt had been focusing on to facilitate his release.
Around 200 men forming part of the search in the Perija Mountains on Colombia’s border with Venezuela have been told to return to the town of Barrancas where he was abducted just over a week ago.
Coronel Giovanni Montanez said: “The troops that are taking part in the search operation for Luis Manuel Diaz are being ordered to carry out a repositioning to give guarantees for the handover of this hostage.”
Diaz’s family begged kidnappers to offer proof he is still alive as his brother said: “What we would most like is to have that proof by seeing him and knowing what situation our brother, our relative, our papa, our son is in because my father is here and wants to see his son.”
Luis Alfonso Diaz, the footballer’s cousin, told Colombian state broadcaster RNC: “We are asking the ELN to send us proof of how Luis Manuel is now so we can have some peace of mind.”
It came as the UN also joined the calls to free the footballer’s kidnapped dad Luis Manuel Diaz.
Amid the desperate and ongoing search for Diaz’s dad, the footballer netted a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser against Luton on Sunday evening.
He lifted up his Liverpool shirt afterwards, in his first game since the kidnapping, to display a message that said in Spanish “Freedom for Papa.”
The 26-year-old had come off the bench at Kenilworth Road to secure a vital point for Liverpool who sit third in the Premier League following the 1-1 draw.
His celebration sparked jubilation among Liverpool fans who have rallied behind the winger in the nine days since his dad’s horror kidnapping.
And his extended family watched on at home – with a short clip from his grandparent’s home showing a crowd cheering.
They can be heard screaming and pumping their fists while huddled around a television.
The Liverpool star broke his silence with an emotional social media appeal.
The 26-year-old, referring to his father by his nickname “Mane” wrote on Instagram: “This is not Luis Diaz the player speaking.
“Today it is the son of Luis Manuel Diaz speaking.
“Mane, my dad, is a hard-working family man, the pillar of our family and he’s 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 you to reconsider your actions and allow us to have him back.
“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 experiencing.”