Liverpool Winger Luis Diaz’s Parents Kidnapped in Colombia

The parents of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz have been kidnapped in his homeland of Colombia, with his father still being held captive despite his mother having been rescued. Local reports in Barrancas, La Guajita confirmed that Diaz’s parents were taken by ‘assailants on motorcycles’ on Saturday evening, with police and military forces mobilising quickly to try and rescue them.

Mother Rescued, Father Still Captive

So far, only Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, has been freed, but she spoke to police chief General William Salamanca by telephone to confirm she was safe and she is now under the agency’s protection. Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, has confirmed that Diaz’s mother has been freed, saying in a brief statement: ‘In operation padlock in Barrancas, Luis Diaz’s mother has been rescued. We are still searching for the father.’

Diaz’s parents are believed to have been stopped in their vehicle in his hometown when the suspected kidnappers ambushed them, before fleeing the scene on motorbikes. Other reports suggest they were at a petrol station when the kidnap took place.

Guala Unit Mobilized

According to Semana, national Gaula police director Colonel Geovanni Cristancho is en route to the region to spearhead the search and rescue mission to find Diaz’s father. Kidnappings are not uncommon in Colombia and the Guala unit is a special anti-kidnapping division who are vastly experienced in such situations.