The Colombian government has confirmed that Luis Diaz’s father was kidnapped by the militant insurgency group known as the National Liberation Army (ELN).
The search for the Liverpool player’s father, Luis Manuel Diaz, who was abducted last week alongside his wife by armed individuals on motorcycles, is ongoing.
Although the winger’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was released shortly after the initial abduction, the police are still working to locate Manuel Diaz.
It’s worth noting that the Colombian government is currently engaged in peace talks with the ELN, as the country grapples with a conflict that has endured for nearly six decades.
Government representative Otty Patino revealed that the group’s involvement in the kidnapping became apparent during negotiations.
A statemet read: “Today we have officially learned that the kidnapping carried out on October 28, in Barrancas, department of La Guajira, of which Luis Manuel Diaz and Cilenis Marulanda, father and mother of the soccer player Luis Fernando, were victims, was perpetrated by a unit belonging to the ELN.
“Although Mrs. Marulanda was released a few hours later, the player’s father has been kidnapped for five days. As a delegation of the National Government for peace talks with the ELN, we express all our solidarity with Luis Diaz, his family, the entire country and with the millions of followers of the player in the world.
“We demand that the ELN immediately release Mr. Luis Manuel Diaz, and we remind him that it is his entire responsibility to guarantee his life and integrity.”
Police have already made an arrest in the case, believing to have detained the man responsible for tracking the pair and informing the group of their whereabouts.
Authorities have offered a 200 million peso (£40,000/$49,000) reward for information about the kidnapping as they feared the culprits would attempt to smuggle Luis Manuel into Venezuela.
The case has caused an uproar in the town of Barrancas, La Guajira, where Luis Manuel is a respected figure.
Citizens from the area had a candle-lit march calling for his release, with many wearing white t-shirts that depicted a picture of the kidnapping victim.