Football no longer matters in these moments. Luis Diaz can confirm this. This weekend, the Liverpool player learned terrible news. Indeed, his parents were kidnapped in his native country, Colombia. They were apparently stopped at a gas station near Barrancas when they were approached by men on motorcycles with weapons. News that shocked the entire football world, which gave its support to the 26-year-old player. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, his compatriots Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez, as well as his Reds teammates, including Diogo Jota and Alexis MacAllister, posted messages of support.
A reward for people who help find Luis Diaz’s father
The residents of Anfield did the same. “Liverpool Football Club can confirm that it is aware of a current situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia. We fervently hope that this matter will be resolved safely and as soon as possible. In the meantime, player well-being will remain our immediate priority., we could read in the press release. Then, we learned that the player’s mother was quickly rescued and released by the police. Good news. But Luis Manuel Díaz Jiménez, Luis Diaz’s father, is still in the hands of his captors. This Monday, the Colombian press takes stock of the subject and reveals new information.
El Colombiano explains the National Police is doing its utmost to find the player’s father. This was also confirmed by General William René Salamanca, who heads the rescue operation. “With the commands of the National Police and our aerial capacity, we moved to Barrancas to direct and coordinate the search operations for Mr. Luis Manuel Díaz. We spared no effort.” He then clarified: “We announce, upon instructions from the Minister of National Defense, that a reward of up to 200 million pesos will be given to anyone who allows us to find the whereabouts of Mr. Luis Díaz.”
A flight to Venezuela?
But the information revealed by the prosecutor, Francisco Barbosa, was not very reassuring. “We hope that the National Police will continue this search with the army. But unfortunately there is also the possibility that this person could be in Venezuela, and in this case, if there is a transfer of Father Luis Díaz to Venezuela, we will have to ask President Gustavo Petro to help us because he is in ultimately, whoever has contact with these authorities.” According to the latest elements of the investigation, Luis Diaz’s father is no longer on Colombian territory. For his part, the footballer, who did not participate in the match against Nottingham Forest, is waiting.
According to El Tiempo, he wanted to return home and join his relatives in Barrancas to lead operations and support everyone. But those around him convinced him to stay in Liverpool. His family fears for his safety. It is for this reason that he took the “difficult decision” to stay in England. Luis Diaz, who has been in telephone contact with General Salamanca, has placed his hopes and confidence in the Colombian armed forces and police for the moment. But El Tiempo specifies that it is not excluded that he returns to Colombia if the situation persists. Let’s hope that’s not the case.
