The parents of Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz were kidnapped by armed men on Friday night in Colombia, as they were driving to their home in the town of Barrancas. The kidnappers intercepted their car and took them away on motorcycles, leaving behind their vehicle and belongings.
The Colombian authorities launched a massive operation to rescue the hostages and apprehend the perpetrators. The country’s president, Gustavo Petro, announced on Saturday that Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, had been rescued by the police in Barrancas. He also said that the search for Diaz’s father, Luis Diaz Sr., was still ongoing.
Petro praised the work of the security forces and expressed his solidarity with the Diaz family. He also condemned the kidnapping as a “cowardly act” that violated human rights and dignity.
Liverpool and Colombia offer support to Diaz
Liverpool FC issued a statement on Saturday, saying that they were “shocked and saddened” by the news of the kidnapping. The club said that they were in constant contact with Diaz and his representatives, and that they were offering him “all the support he needs at this incredibly difficult time”.
The club also thanked the Colombian authorities for their efforts to rescue Diaz’s parents, and urged them to continue working until they find his father. Liverpool also asked for respect and privacy for Diaz and his family.
Diaz’s national team, Colombia, also expressed their solidarity with him and his family. The Colombian Football Federation said in a statement that they regretted the “painful situation” that Diaz was going through, and that they hoped for a “happy ending” to the ordeal.
Diaz is one of the most prominent players in Colombia, having scored 11 goals in 25 appearances for his country. He joined Liverpool from Porto in August 2023, and has scored four goals in nine games for the Reds.
A wave of kidnappings in Colombia
The kidnapping of Diaz’s parents is not an isolated incident in Colombia, where armed groups have been targeting civilians for ransom or political purposes. According to official figures, there were 188 kidnappings in Colombia in 2022, a 26% increase from 2021.
The most affected regions are those where illegal armed groups operate, such as La Guajira, where Diaz’s parents were abducted. These groups include dissidents of the former FARC guerrillas, who rejected a peace deal with the government in 2016, as well as paramilitary groups and drug traffickers.
The Colombian government has been trying to combat the kidnapping phenomenon by strengthening its security forces and offering rewards for information leading to the capture of kidnappers. However, many cases remain unsolved or unreported, as some victims prefer to negotiate directly with their captors or fear retaliation.
