Colombia Football Federation has confirmed the release of Lius Diaz’s father who has spent roughly two weeks in the hands of kidnappers.
Luís Manuel Díaz had was snatched by the guerrilla group National Liberation Army, also known as the ELN, at a petrol station in Colombia near the border with Venezuela.
On Thursday, a helicopter with representatives from the United Nations and the Catholic Church made the trip for his rescue, after ELN asked for military operations to leave the area.
Luis Diaz’s mother was also kidnapped in the incident but she was rescued within hours after police set up roadblocks.
The Liverpool forward and Colombia international scored an emotional late equaliser at Luton on Sunday before revealing a message underneath his shirt which read ‘Libertad Para Papa’ (Freedom for Dad).
Diaz had returned to Colombia ahead of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest the previous week and missed the Carabao Cup victory at Bournemouth, before informing Jurgen Klopp he would like to be considered available for the trip to Luton. At that point there was an indication negotiations between officials and the radical left-wing rebels had been positive.
Diaz is starting for Liverpool in their Europa League game in Toulouse.
It remains to be seen whether Diaz will return to Colombia before the upcoming international break, though he is expected to be called up to the national team.
Colombia will host Brazil in a World Cup qualifier on November 17, in the city of Barranquilla.
