Luis Diaz's Father Was Released After 12 Days Of Arrest, Picked Up By Helicopters

Luis Diaz, while giving a reaction to ask his father to be released. (photo: twitter @LuisFDiz19)

JAKARTA - Luis Diaz's father, Luis Manuel Diaz, was finally released after nearly two weeks of being kidnapped in Colombia. Manuel Diaz has been missing since Saturday, October 28 after being held by his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, who was soon released. The two were taken near their home in the La Guajira area by four armed men riding a motorbike.

Although Marulanda was released shortly after, Manuel Diaz's search continued. However, video footage appeared on Thursday 9 November showing helicopters surrounding the border area between La Guajira and Cesar, where the kidnappers released Manuel Diaz.

Este gol es por la libertad de mi padre y de todos los secuestrados de mi país. Gracias a todos por su apoyo.🙌🏻@europapress @bbcmundo @el_pais @AFP @cruzrojacol @ONU_derechos @ONUcolombia @RevistaSemana @nytimes @Reuters @CNNEE @ElTIEMPO @elheraldoco pic.twitter.com/KuRqYkTPhv

— Luis Fernando Díaz (@LuisFDiaz19) November 5, 2023

Este goal es por la libertad de mi padre y de todos los secuestrados de mi pa harus. Gracias a todos por su apoyo. @europapress @bbcmundo @el_pais @AFP @cruzrojacol @ONU_derechos @ONUcorombia @RevistaSemana @Reuters @CNNEE @EltIEMPO @elheraldoco pic.twitter.com/KURqYkTPhv

Colombian media reported that after 12 days, Manuel Diaz had been released and was in security at the hands of the UN committee. The release comes hours after BluRadio said that Diaz's father's release process had begun.

Meanwhile, the Colombian Football Federation has released a statement following the news.

"The Colombian Football Federation thanks the National Government, Military Forces, and the National Police, as well as all institutions and officials who have allowed the release of Lu Allahs Manuel Dmenz, the father of our player Lumens Diaz," the statement said.

Manuel Diaz was kidnapped while driving his car with Marulanda. Luis Diaz was notified of the incident while at the Liverpool team's hotel on Saturday night, before his mother was released the next morning.

When Luis Manuel Diaz was kidnapped, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was preparing to face Nottingham Forest, and Diaz decided not to be included in the squad. He also missed the Carabao Cup trip to Bournemouth.

However, Diaz decided to return to play for Liverpool in the match against Luton. He returned to the field as a substitute and scored a save goal in injury time to secure a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.

During the goal celebration, Diaz lifted the goalkeeper's shirt to show the message "Freedom for Papa," and he also posted an emotional message on social media. "Today football players don't talk to you. Today Lucho Dmenz, Luis Manuel Döz's son, talks to you," Diaz said in an Instagram post.

"Papa, my father, is a tireless worker, a pole in the family, and he has been kidnapped. I ask ELN to immediately release my father, and I ask international organizations to work together for his freedom."

The family and Liverpool celebrate the release of Luis Diaz's father. Diaz has been included in the Liverpool line-up to face Toulouse in the Europa League.