Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s father has been finally released by Colombia's ELN guerrilla group on Thursday (Nov 9) after being kidnapped for 12 days.

The news comes as a huge relief for the forward and his close mates, with the striker now set to travel to his homeland ahead of Colombia’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Diaz’s parents were kidnapped on October 28. His mother was rescued on the same day while his father Luis Manuel Diaz was held hostage.

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🚨 Luis Manuel Díaz, Lucho’s father, has been released today after spending the last 12 days kidnapped in Colombia. 
 
He’s with the police now after being released, as <a href="https://twitter.com/VickyDavilaH?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VickyDavilaH</a> reports. 
 
Wonderful news for Luis Díaz; his dad and mom are finally both free and safe. <a href="https://t.co/VjYxPlx60p">pic.twitter.com/VjYxPlx60p</a>
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1722647365343998116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2>ELN guerrilla group releases Luis Manuel Diaz</h2>

On Thursday, the rebels handed Diaz to a humanitarian mission after which he arrived by helicopter in the northeastern city of Valledupar. The city is some 90 km away from Diaz’s hometown of Barrancas, from where he along with his wife were kidnapped. With the latest developments on Thursday, the player and his family can now heave&nbsp;a sigh of relief with the return of Luis Manuel Diaz.

"Long live Freedom and Peace," President Gustavo Petro wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the release.

On Sunday, Diaz had begged the ELN to free his father.

"I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organizations to intercede for his freedom," Diaz said on X.

"Every second, every minute our anguish grows," the young footballer added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/want-pakistan-to-reach-odi-world-cup-semi-finals-and-play-india-says-former-captain-sourav-ganguly-656852">Want Pakistan to reach ODI World Cup semi-finals and play India, says former captain Sourav Ganguly</a>

Diaz had a tough period during the last 12 days while he stayed in England despite the news of the kidnap.

He was not in the matchday squad for the Premier League match against Nottingham Forest last Sunday where his teammates showed strong support to him in the tough time.

He was reinstated in the team for his side’s away match against Luton Town, where he made a remarkable return.

Having come on as a substitute, he scored a 94th-minute equaliser, with his side trailing 0-1 in the match.

He would then showcase his support to his family with a message in Spanish written on his inner shirt.

He is next likely to take the field on late Thursday evening when Liverpool take on Toulouse FC in the Europa League.

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s father has been finally released by Colombia's ELN guerrilla group on Thursday (Nov 9) after being kidnapped for 12 days. The news comes as a huge relief for the forward and his close mates, with the striker now set to travel to his homeland ahead of Colombia’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s father has been finally released by Colombia's ELN guerrilla group on Thursday (Nov 9) after being kidnapped for 12 days. The news comes as a huge relief for the forward and his close mates, with the striker now set to travel to his homeland ahead of Colombia’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Diaz’s parents were kidnapped on October 28. His mother was rescued on the same day while his father Luis Manuel Diaz was held hostage. 🚨 Luis Manuel Díaz, Lucho’s father, has been released today after spending the last 12 days kidnapped in Colombia. He’s with the police now after being released, as @VickyDavilaH reports. Wonderful news for Luis Díaz; his dad and mom are finally both free and safe. pic.twitter.com/VjYxPlx60p — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 9, 2023 × ELN guerrilla group releases Luis Manuel Diaz On Thursday, the rebels handed Diaz to a humanitarian mission after which he arrived by helicopter in the northeastern city of Valledupar. The city is some 90 km away from Diaz’s hometown of Barrancas, from where he along with his wife were kidnapped. With the latest developments on Thursday, the player and his family can now heave a sigh of relief with the return of Luis Manuel Diaz. "Long live Freedom and Peace," President Gustavo Petro wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the release. On Sunday, Diaz had begged the ELN to free his father. "I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organizations to intercede for his freedom," Diaz said on X. "Every second, every minute our anguish grows," the young footballer added. ALSO READ | Want Pakistan to reach ODI World Cup semi-finals and play India, says former captain Sourav Ganguly Diaz had a tough period during the last 12 days while he stayed in England despite the news of the kidnap. He was not in the matchday squad for the Premier League match against Nottingham Forest last Sunday where his teammates showed strong support to him in the tough time. He was reinstated in the team for his side’s away match against Luton Town, where he made a remarkable return. Having come on as a substitute, he scored a 94th-minute equaliser, with his side trailing 0-1 in the match. He would then showcase his support to his family with a message in Spanish written on his inner shirt. He is next likely to take the field on late Thursday evening when Liverpool take on Toulouse FC in the Europa League.

Football: Liverpool forward Luis Diaz's father released by Colombia's ELN guerrilla group

A unit of the ELN guerrilla group was behind the kidnapping in Colombia last weekend&nbsp;of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz's parents, the government said Thursday.

The kidnapping of Luis Manuel Diaz and Cilenis Marulanda -- she was rescued the same day -- "was perpetrated by a unit belonging to the ELN," a government official said on X, formerly Twitter, adding: "we demand the ELN immediately free" the missing man.

The ELN and the government of leftist President Gustavo Petro are in the midst of peace negotiations that include a six-month ceasefire, currently in effect.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sl-cwc-23-kohli-surpasses-tendulkars-all-time-record-of-most-1000-run-years-in-odis-654292">IND vs SL, CWC '23: Kohli surpasses Tendulkar’s all-time record of most 1000-run years in ODIs</a>

Colombia and Liverpool striker Diaz's parents were taken Saturday by armed men on motorcycles at a gas station in their home town of Barrancas in the northern La Guajira department. Marulanda was rescued in Barrancas hours later.

Colombian authorities have said there has been no ransom demand.

"We demand the ELN immediately free Luis Manuel Diaz," said Thursday's statement signed by Otty Patino, the head of the government delegation in peace talks with the ELN.

He added it was the ELN's "responsibility to guarantee his life and integrity."&nbsp;

Attorney General Francisco Barbosa has said the older Diaz "could be" in Venezuela, without giving further details.

The ELN has not claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

A unit of the ELN guerrilla group was behind the kidnapping in Colombia last weekend of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz's parents, the government said Thursday. The kidnapping of Luis Manuel Diaz and Cilenis Marulanda -- she was rescued the same day -- "was perpetrated by a unit belonging to the ELN," a government official said on X, formerly Twitter, adding: "we demand the ELN immediately free" the missing man.

A unit of the ELN guerrilla group was behind the kidnapping in Colombia last weekend of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz's parents, the government said Thursday. The kidnapping of Luis Manuel Diaz and Cilenis Marulanda -- she was rescued the same day -- "was perpetrated by a unit belonging to the ELN," a government official said on X, formerly Twitter, adding: "we demand the ELN immediately free" the missing man. The ELN and the government of leftist President Gustavo Petro are in the midst of peace negotiations that include a six-month ceasefire, currently in effect. ALSO READ | IND vs SL, CWC '23: Kohli surpasses Tendulkar’s all-time record of most 1000-run years in ODIs Colombia and Liverpool striker Diaz's parents were taken Saturday by armed men on motorcycles at a gas station in their home town of Barrancas in the northern La Guajira department. Marulanda was rescued in Barrancas hours later. Colombian authorities have said there has been no ransom demand. "We demand the ELN immediately free Luis Manuel Diaz," said Thursday's statement signed by Otty Patino, the head of the government delegation in peace talks with the ELN. He added it was the ELN's "responsibility to guarantee his life and integrity." Attorney General Francisco Barbosa has said the older Diaz "could be" in Venezuela, without giving further details. The ELN has not claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

Football: Colombian guerrilla group kidnapped Liverpool striker Luis Diaz's parents

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Football: Liverpool forward Luis Diaz's father released by Colombia's ELN guerrilla group

Football: Colombian guerrilla group kidnapped Liverpool striker Luis Diaz's parents