Kidnapping of Luis Díaz’s Father: A Desperate Search in Colombia
A significant military and police operation is underway in Colombia to locate the father of Liverpool player Luis Díaz, who has been kidnapped. Over 120 soldiers and police officers have been involved in the search for Luis Manuel Díaz, with a reward of £40,000 offered for information leading to his rescue. At the same time, concerns grow that he may be taken to Venezuela
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The Latin American Post Staff
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Leer en español: Secuestro del padre de Luis Díaz: una búsqueda desesperada en Colombia
In a race against time, at least 130 police officers and 110 soldiers are conducting an extensive search by land and air in Colombia's Caribbean department of La Guajira, with growing concerns that Luis Díaz's father may be transported to Venezuela.
Colombian Government Vows Safe Return
The Colombian Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, emphasized the government's and security forces' substantial efforts to ensure the safe return of Mr. Díaz. Luis Manuel Díaz and his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, parents of the Colombian forward, were abducted in the town of Barrancas in La Guajira, which borders Venezuela and is their hometown. Fortunately, the player's mother was released, thanks to police pressure.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, and the authorities have not put forth any hypotheses regarding the perpetrators of this crime, which all sectors of Colombian society have condemned.
Minister Velásquez explained that there is an intensive operation not only on the border with Venezuela but also in areas that could be used as escape routes by the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the director of the Colombian police, General William René Salamanca, announced that 130 police commandos from the Antinarcotics Police, the Anti-Kidnapping Group (Gaula), the Criminal Investigation Directorate (Dijin), and the Intelligence Directorate are part of the task force aimed at rescuing Mr. Luis Manuel Díaz. This search, which also involves soldiers from the Army, is focused on the rural area of Barrancas, near the town of Fonseca in La Guajira, according to Salamanca.
"During the night and early morning, we deployed two motorized platoons, unmanned aircraft, checkpoints, helicopters, a specialized radar plane, and more than 120 men for the search. We will continue the effort for the prompt return of Luis Díaz's father," stated the Military Forces Command.
Attorney General Francisco Barbosa addressed the case after voting in local and regional elections, noting that there are indications that the kidnappers may have taken Mr. Díaz to Venezuela.
"We have information that he could potentially be in Venezuela, and if he crosses the border and is in Venezuela, we will have to ask President Gustavo Petro, who is friendly with those authorities, to assist us in the recovery or release," said Barbosa.
Liverpool's Support
Furthermore, General Salamanca announced that the authorities are offering a reward of 200 million Colombian pesos (approximately $49,000) for information leading to the release of the Liverpool player's father. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dedicated a Premier League victory to Díaz, saying they had won "for our brother." The club emphasized that the player's welfare remains their immediate priority.
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