Luis Diaz's father released after 12 days of kidnapping

Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Liverpool and Colombian national team footballer Luis Diaz, was released on Thursday after 12 days kidnapped by guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN), according to reports.

The player's father was handed over to a humanitarian commission from the UN and the Catholic Church in the foothills of the Perija mountain range, near the town of Barrancas, in the Caribbean department of La Guajira, where he was kidnapped on 28th October, and was taken by helicopter to Valledupar, capital of the department of Cesar. 

Both Luis Diaz's father and mother were kidnapped 12 days ago in La Guajira when they were in a van. They were assaulted by men on a motorbike who deprived both of their freedom. The woman was released shortly afterwards, but not the father of the 'red' footballer.

Recently, the player expressly asked for his father to be released in an emotional letter. "I beg you to release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait". 

The ELN confirmed that one of its fronts was the one who deprived Luis Diaz's father of his freedom without knowing that he was the father of a "great sportsman loved by all Colombians", and therefore promised to release him, as has finally been the case.