The ordeal began when armed men on motorcycles abducted Díaz’s father, Luis Manuel Díaz, and mother, Cilenis Marulanda, in their hometown of Barrancas. While Marulanda was quickly freed, Mane, as his family affectionately calls him, remained in captivity.
The whereabouts of the kidnappers and Mane were unknown, prompting a massive search effort involving over 200 police and military personnel, indigenous groups from the Pejira Mountains, helicopters, and drones. It was later revealed that the National Liberation Army of Colombia (ELN), a rebel group, was responsible for the kidnapping. Negotiations between the ELN and the Colombian government led to Mane’s release once certain conditions were met. A rescue party consisting of representatives from the Catholic Church and the United Nations completed the handover in the mountains after receiving permission from the authorities.
Throughout this ordeal, Díaz remained in England due to safety concerns. He missed Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest but made a triumphant return to score an emotional equalizer against Luton Town. His father’s release came just hours before Liverpool’s Europa League meeting with Toulouse in France, allowing Díaz to contact Mane before kick-off.
Now, during the international break, Díaz has returned to his homeland. The first pictures of the emotional reunion between Díaz, his father, and other family members, including his two-year-old daughter, have surfaced.
In a heartwarming turn of events, the first images of Luis Díaz reuniting with his father have been released by the Colombian Football Federation. This emotional reunion comes five days after Díaz senior was freed by his kidnappers, putting an end to a terrifying 12-day ordeal for the Liverpool player and his family.
