WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE KIDNAPPING OF LUIS DÍAZ'S FATHER?

On October 27, 2023, the father of Colombian soccer player Luis Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz, was kidnapped by the National Liberation Army (ELN), a guerrilla group that is in a peace process with the Colombian State.

The kidnapping occurred in the municipality of Barrancas, in the department of La Guajira, when Luis Manuel Díaz and his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, were at their home. A group of guerrillas broke into the house and forced them into a vehicle.

In a statement, the ELN stated that the kidnapping was an "action of retaliation" for the military operation on October 23 in which four of its members died. The guerrilla group also demanded the release of eight of its members who are detained.

The Colombian Government, for its part, rejected the ELN's accusations and stated that the kidnapping was a criminal act that has no justification. The Government also announced that it was in talks with the guerrilla to achieve the release of Luis Manuel Díaz.

The kidnapping of Luis Manuel Díaz generated great indignation in Colombia and in the world of football. Liverpool footballer Luis Díaz asked his followers to pray for the release of his father.

On November 2, the Peace Delegation of the National Government confirmed that Luis Manuel Díaz had been released by the ELN. The footballer's father was handed over to the authorities at a meeting point in the department of Norte de Santander.

The release of Luis Manuel Díaz occurred after five days of negotiations between the Government and the ELN. The Colombian Government affirmed that the release was a result of the will for peace on both sides.

The kidnapping of Luis Díaz's father was an event that highlighted the violence that still persists in Colombia. The event also put at risk the peace process with the ELN, which has been stalled for several months.

Below are some additional details about the kidnapping:

The ELN is a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla that has operated in Colombia since 1964. The group has been responsible for numerous acts of violence, including kidnappings, murders and attacks.
The peace process with the ELN began in 2017, but it has been a slow and complex process. The Government and the ELN have reached agreements on some issues, but there are still many obstacles to overcome.
The kidnapping of Luis Díaz's father was an act of violence that has no justification. The Colombian Government must continue working to end the armed conflict in Colombia and guarantee the security of all citizens.