Luis Diaz ‘really happy’ after receiving news of his father’s release
Luis Diaz’s father has revealed how his emotional first exchange with the Liverpool star went down after being kidnapped by a left-wing terror group in Colombia. He is home safe after being released on Thursday and has spoken to Diaz, who received an outpour of love and support from the football world during the terrifying ordeal.
On October 28, Luis Manuel Diaz was held at gunpoint by ELN guerrillas and seized along with his wife in his homeland, while his mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was left behind in a car.
Colombian police offered a reward worth around £40,000 for crucial information as all possibilities were considered, including Diaz being smuggled across the Venezuelan border through a dense jungle.
On Thursday, 12 days later, Colombian media reported that the process of liberating Diaz had begun.
A helicopter that had taken off from the city of Valledupar was later spotted circling above the Perija Mountain Range near the Venezuelan border.
Diaz was safely recovered as images emerged confirming the news, and he spoke for the first time on Friday.
During a celebration of his return, Diaz detailed a conversation he had had with his son, who he claimed told him: “Keep going because things don’t end here and have a lot of strength to recover from everything that has happened.”
READ MORE Luis Diaz’s dad freed as helicopter flies Liverpool star’s father out of jungle[NEWS]
Diaz struggled to fight back the tears as he thanked god for ‘a second chance’ and called for peace in his country.
He said: “I ask my brothers from the mountains, let’s put down our weapons, let’s use the pen and the notebook, let’s work to make it Colombia is the country that has the best peace.
“I thank Colombia for this great support. Very soon, I will have the opportunity to greet them and give them a hug. Thank you very much, my people.
“There was no offer of resources, there was no need, everything was done legally, thank God, they did not request any resources, but that did not happen.”
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Diaz’s son continued to play for Liverpool during the ordeal, netting an emotional 97th-minute equaliser against Luton Town on Sunday.
After his goal at Kenilworth Road, Diaz paid tribute to his father, lifting his shirt to show an undershirt with a message that read ‘Libertad Para Papa’, translating to ‘Freedom For Dad’.
He also featured for 81 minutes in the Reds’ 3-2 defeat at Toulouse on Thursday, which ended their 100 per cent start in the Europa League.
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