The father of Liverpool footballer Luis Diaz, who was kidnapped in Colombia, will probably be freed “as soon as possible”, in line with a consultant of the insurgent group holding him.
Luis Manuel Diaz and his spouse, Cilenis Marulanda, had been snatched by armed males on motorbikes at a petroleum station within the city of Barrancas, in La Guajira, close to the border with Venezuela, on Saturday.
She was rescued inside hours after police arrange roadblocks – however the whereabouts of her husband stay unknown.
Earlier on Thursday, the Colombian authorities mentioned the pair had been kidnapped by the guerrilla group, National Liberation Army, often known as the ELN.
Officials are at the moment in negotiations with the novel left-wing rebels.
Otty Patino, who’s main the peace talks, mentioned: “We demand that the ELN releases immediately Mr Luis Manuel Diaz and we say as of now that they are entirely responsible to secure his life and integrity.”
On Tuesday, the 26-year-old Liverpool winger and Colombia worldwide begged his father’s captors to launch him – as his mom, uncle and different kinfolk took half in a vigil calling for his launch.
He posted an Instagram story with particulars of the occasion and the caption “Bring your candle to light the light of hope – free him now!”
Special forces had been deployed to seek for Mr Diaz, with air and land patrols trawling a mountain vary that straddles each Colombia and Venezuela – as Colombia’s police director vowed to make use of each agent to seek out him.
But officers mentioned they may not rule out the chance that he has been smuggled over the border – that means he will probably be out of attain of Colombian police.
A reward value $48,000 (£39,000) has been supplied for data that helps police find Mr Diaz.
It is feared the kidnapping might jeopardise ongoing peace talks between the ELN and Colombian authorities, which restarted final yr within the hope of ending the group’s half in a 60-year battle, that has claimed the lives of at the very least 450,000 folks.
A six-month ceasefire was agreed in August as a part of the talks.
Colombia’s inside minister, Luis Fernando Velasco, mentioned the kidnapping was “very serious” and a “violation of the ceasefire” which places the peace course of in danger.
Mr Patino added: “We remind the ELN that kidnapping is criminal, violates international humanitarian law and that its duty in building the peace process is not just to stop kidnapping, but to eliminate it forever.”
Security sources say the group funds its actions by way of kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking.
A spokesperson for the ELN mentioned it’s “looking into the issue”.
Read extra:
CCTV reveals extortion gang at massive
Colombia elects former guerrilla fighter as first left-wing president
Diaz, who signed for Liverpool final yr in a deal value £55m, has been hailed as one of the vital proficient gamers within the Colombian nationwide squad.
He was absent from Liverpool’s dwelling recreation in opposition to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, the place the Reds received 3-0.
His teammates expressed their solidarity, with Diogo Jota holding up a shirt in assist of Diaz.
Source: information.sky.com”