The parents of Liverpool player Luis Diaz were abducted in Colombia on Saturday night; his father’s whereabouts are still unknown, but his mother is safe.
Luis Diaz, a top player for Liverpool, has two parents who were abducted on Saturday night. His father is still missing, and there is a reward available for his safe return. Mirror Football has gathered up to date information on the circumstances.
It has been announced that the Reds star’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, has been saved after a police pursuit that began on Saturday afternoon when the Liverpool star’s parents were abducted. It happened close to their house in the Caribbean area of Colombia, in the town of Barrancas.
Despite earlier local reports of a shootout, Colombian authorities have not been able to locate his father. In an effort to keep Diaz updated on the situation, police chiefs have spoken with him. The player was left off of Liverpool’s roster for their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The Reds honoured Diaz after Diogo Jota’s opening goal in the 3-0 victory at Anfield.
Colombian authorities declared on Sunday afternoon that they would be giving a reward of 200 million pesos (£40,000) to anyone who could provide vital information that would enable Diaz’s father to be rescued.
A video of General William Salamanca, the police director who is currently in charge of the effort to get Diaz’s father back to safety, talking to the Liverpool winger in the wee hours of the morning was made public earlier in the day by the authorities.
According to Semana’s initial report, Salamanca informed Diaz during their initial communication that the president of Colombia had given him the order to spearhead the rescue effort and that his mother was “safe and sound.” Additionally, he stated, “We are here utilising all of the police’s air and ground capabilities with the assistance of the Colombian Army.”
After spending the night in the Liverpool team’s hotel prior to the game, Diaz withdrew from the team on Sunday morning. The Portugal international Jota disclosed after the match that Diaz was supposed to start in his place prior to learning of his parents’ predicament.
“Luis stayed at the hotel with us before leaving to go home. It’s a really difficult circumstance, and I’m not sure how anyone would respond if it were you. He intended to play. In his place, I played and showed him his shirt to reassure him that we are rooting for him and hoping for the best.
“The idea that something like this could occur is unfathomable. We only need to lend a hand and let him know we’re behind him.”
When questioned about the situation prior to the game, Klopp, the manager of the Kop, stated: “We obviously had to make a late change because of the private situation involving Luis Diaz.”
It was a difficult night, and we are all concerned about the current situation. I’ve never experienced that before. I never needed this novel experience.”
The kidnapping was first reported late on Saturday night. The national team of Colombia issued a statement shortly after. The statement said: “The Colombian Football Federation expresses regret for the security situation our player Luis Diaz’s parents are facing. The FCF calls on the appropriate authorities to take prompt action to address the situation and offers its support to him and his entire family.”
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia,” the team said in a statement they released early on Sunday morning.
“We really hope that this can be handled safely and as soon as possible. The player’s well-being will remain our top priority in the interim.”
President Gustavo Petro of Colombia duly declared that Cilenis Marulanda, Diaz’s mother, had recovered and was safe. After that, his mother was seen smiling broadly during an emotional get-together with family.
Victor Medina, a man claiming to be Luis Manuel Diaz’s best friend, told a Colombian radio station that the footballer’s parents were held captive while travelling to a relative of Celinis’ house. “It was 5.30pm local time on Saturday. They had filled up with petrol and then went to a neighbourhood nearby to collect something from a relative of Celinis,” Medina said.
“There the captors arrived, four men on motorbikes. They threatened them with weapons, made them get into the same vehicle and sped off with the other two on a motorbike tailing them. They headed for a rural area. The authorities were notified and there was a chase.”
When asked if there had been a gunfight between Cilenis’ captors and the authorities prior to her rescue, Mr. Medina replied, “I haven’t had a chance to speak with her yet.” It’s a challenging circumstance. We know she arrived quite distressed following what has obviously been a trauma for her, which is why she is back at home with doctors. Before we speak with her, we’re just waiting for things to settle down a little.He continued by saying that Luis Manuel Diaz is a well-liked person in Barrancas and that there has never been any discussion of threats. He always felt at ease and secure here since he and his family are well-liked in this municipality.
Yet someone will always seek to harm a family, especially one that is giving Barrancas great honour and notoriety. A well-liked and well-respected family in our municipality is the target of acts like these, which the public rejects.”
