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But in a brief statement issued just minutes before midnight, both sides said that they have extended the cease-fire for 180 days. The statement says the National Liberation Army, known by its Spanish acronym ELN, will “temporarily and unilaterally suspend economic detentions” in order to contribute to the cease-fire. A cease-fire between the government and ELN started in August, and has reduced fighting between both sides. According to Colombia’s Defense Ministry, the National Liberation Army is holding at least 38 hostages. Monday’s statement said that the conditions under which the rebels will cease kidnappings will continue to be discussed in an upcoming round of talks in April.

Persons: —, ELN, “, Otty, Gustavo Petro, Luis Díaz Organizations: National Liberation Army, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Colombia’s Defense Ministry Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, extorsion

☆ Colombia Government, ELN Rebels Are Yet to Agree Ceasefire Extension -ELN
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - The government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas have not yet agreed to extend their bilateral ceasefire for another six months, the rebel group said on Monday. The government of President Gustavo Petro restarted peace talks with the ELN in 2022 as part of a policy of 'total peace', to end Colombia's six-decade conflict, which has left more than 450,000 dead. An initial six-month ceasefire expired last week and was extended for five days, a measure that will end on Monday night. "Measures are being taken to resolve factors of crisis factors and add new elements of commitment to be fulfilled by both parties, with the purpose of agreeing on an extension of another six months of this temporary and national bilateral ceasefire," the ELN delegation said in a statement. The statement was released ahead of the close of a sixth cycle of talks between the rebel group and the government in Cuba's capital, Havana.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Oliver Griffin, Franklin Paul Organizations: National Liberation Army Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Cuba's, Havana

☆ Colombia, ELN Rebels Extend Ceasefire With View Toward Longer Renewal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - The government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels said on Monday they would extend a bilateral ceasefire for five days while they finish evaluating a much longer extension to the measure. The two sides are holding peace talks aimed at ending the guerrilla group's part in 60 years of armed conflict. They began a six-month ceasefire in August 2023, which expires on Monday. "Once the evaluation of the bilateral, national and temporary ceasefire and the current cycle (of talks) is finished, the extension will be signed," the two sides said in a joint statement from Havana, where they are holding the current round of talks. (Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Persons: Julia Symmes Cobb, Sandra Maler Organizations: National Liberation Army Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Havana

Díaz’s parents - Luis Manuel Díaz Jiménez and Cilenis Marulanda — were kidnapped by a unit of the ELN at a gas station by armed men on motorcycles. Marulanda was rescued by police a few hours later, but Díaz’s father was held captive for 12 days by the ELN. Prosecutors said in a statement that Alcires Bolivar was a merchant in La Guajira who had been contacted by a member of the ELN to help him kidnap Díaz’s parents. After the kidnapping, special forces were deployed to search for Díaz’s father in a mountain range that straddles Colombia and Venezuela. The ELN acknowledged the kidnapping, saying it was a mistake and that its top leadership had ordered the father’s release.

Persons: Luis Díaz, Colombia’s, Andrés Alcires Bolívar, Marlon Rafael Brito, Díaz’s, Luis Manuel Díaz Jiménez, Marulanda —, Marulanda, Alcires Bolivar, “, Rafael Brito, Díaz, ELN Organizations: Liverpool, National Liberation Army, Catholic Church, United Nations, Prosecutors, Barrancas Council, national soccer team, Police Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Barrancas, La Guajira, Colombia’s, Venezuela

☆ Luis Díaz inspires Colombia to emotional victory as his father watches from stands after kidnap release
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Luis Díaz scored two goals to help Colombia stun Brazil in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday, as his father watched on from the stands just a week after being released by kidnappers. On October 28, Díaz Sr. was abducted along with his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, by ELN gunmen in his hometown of Barrancas, northeastern Colombia. Marulanda was rescued later that day, but Díaz Sr. was handed over just under two weeks later to a mixed commission of UN personnel and Catholic priests on Thursday in nearby city Valledupar. Footage once again showed Díaz Sr. passionately celebrating with tears in his eyes. The five-time World Cup champion has now slipped to fifth in the qualifying standings, with Colombia up to third.

Persons: CNN — Luis Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz, Díaz, Cilenis, Marulanda, Gabriel Martinelli, Allison, Luis Díaz, Juan Barreto, “ I’m, ” Díaz, –, Ronald Araújo, Darwin, Lionel Messi, Ballon, “, ” Messi, TyC Organizations: CNN, Estadio Metropolitano, UN, Liverpool, Brazil, Getty, BBC Sport, Messi’s, TyC Sports, Reuters, “, ”, FIFA Locations: Colombia, Brazil, Barrancas, Valledupar, Barranquilla, Brazilian, AFP, Messi’s Argentina, Argentina, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, ” Argentina

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (AP) — Days after he was released by kidnappers, the father of Colombia striker Luis Díaz was in tears on Thursday after he watched his son score both goals in a 2-1 win over Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match. Luis Manuel Díaz was held captive for 12 days in a mountainous region by the ELN guerrilla group. So is soccer and so is life," Luis Díaz said after the match. It was Colombia's first win against Brazil in World Cup qualifying in 15 matches. This is beyond soccer, he deserves it,” said Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, a teammate of Díaz at Liverpool.

Persons: Luis Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz, Cilenis, “, ” Díaz, ”, Alisson, ___ Organizations: Brazil, Metropolitano Locations: BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, Brazil, Liverpool, Barrancas, Venezuelan, Díaz, Paraguay

☆ Liverpool's Diaz meets father first time since latter's kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Liverpool player Luis Diaz, arrives to attend a thanksgiving mass at Santa Marta church, after he was freed by Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN), in Barrancas, Colombia November 12, 2023. NO ARCHIVES Acquire Licensing RightsNov 14 (Reuters) - Liverpool and Colombia winger Luis Diaz has reunited with his father for the first time since the latter's kidnapping ordeal, the Colombian football federation said on Tuesday. Luis Manuel Diaz, 58, was released on Thursday by the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) 12 days after he was taken hostage on Oct. 28 in Barrancas, a rural municipality where he lives in the northern province of La Guajira. The Colombian FA shared pictures of the father and son's emotional reunion on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption "we are family." Diaz's father has said he would remain in Colombia despite his difficult kidnapping experience.

Persons: Luis Manuel Diaz, Liverpool, Luis Diaz, Chiranjit, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Colombia's National Liberation Army, REUTERS, Colombian, National Liberation Army, Liverpool, Sunday's Premier League, Brentford, Brazil, Colombian FA, Thomson Locations: Santa Marta, Barrancas, Colombia, Liverpool, La Guajira, Bengaluru

Mendoza, a former fighter for the now-disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas, dragged her children back inside the house. In interviews with Reuters, those people recounted how the attacks left conservation projects adrift, with conservationists withdrawing from environmental protection works because of fear of more violence. Municipal data from local environmental authorities and the Colombian Institute of Meteorology (IDEAM) also showed that in the year after each killing, deforestation at a local level was worse than national trends. Santofimio's killing brought his hard-fought conservation project to a halt. In the tree nursery, which stopped work after Santofimio's killing, saplings bask in the dappled sunlight beneath protective nets.

Persons: Duberney Lopez, Jorge Santofimio, PUERTO, Leidy Mendoza, Mendoza, Jorge !, they'd, Susana Muhamad, Muhamad, Colombia's, –, Armando Aroca, Santofimio, Lopez, Kevin Murakami, Comuccom, Aroca, Javier Franciso Parra, Francisco couldn't, Andres Felipe Garcia, Cormacarena, Parra, Garcia, Luisz Martinez, Martinez, La, KfW, Roberto Gomez, Gonzalo Cardona, Sara Ines Lara, Oliver Griffin, Julia Symmes Cobb, Katy Daigle, Claudia Parsons Organizations: Revolutionary Armed Forces, Colombian, Villagers, Reuters, Environment Ministry, Global, Colombian Institute of Meteorology, Comuccom, International Narcotics, Law, Affairs, U.S, National Liberation Army, UN, Programme, Meta, UNDP, Progress, World Wildlife Fund, Security, USAID, Thomson Locations: Colombia, PUERTO GUZMAN, Putumayo, Bogota, La, Meta, La Macarena, Amazonia, Puerto Guzman

☆ Luis Díaz’s family relieved and thankful for his father’s release, cousin tells CNN
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The cousin of Liverpool soccer star Luis Díaz told CNN on Friday that his family is relieved and “really thankful for all the support from the entire nation,” following the release of Díaz’s father by the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group on Thursday night. Díaz Sr. was abducted along with his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, by ELN gunmen on October 28 in his hometown of Barrancas, northeastern Colombia. A few hours later, he was received by his relatives and friends at the Díaz family home in Barrancas. Luis Díaz’s cousin, Jose Brito Díaz, spoke with CNN by phone from Barrancas, saying it was a moment of celebration for the entire family and the town at large. Díaz Sr. was welcomed back in his hometown on Thursday.

Persons: Luis Díaz, “, Díaz, Cilenis, Marulanda, Luis Díaz’s, Jose Brito Díaz, ” Brito Díaz, Ricardo Maldonado Rozo, EFE, EFE Díaz Organizations: CNN, National Liberation Army, UN, Europa League, Toulouse FC, Colombian Football Federation, Brazil Locations: Liverpool, Barrancas, Colombia, Valledupar, videocall, Toulouse, France, Liverpool’s, Colombian, Paraguay

☆ Father of Liverpool soccer star Diaz not leaving Colombia after kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"My aspirations are to continue in my town because I have my entire family in my town," Diaz said at a press conference. The kidnapping underscored the lack of control that the ELN's top brass exerts over their rank and file, according to analysts and security sources. Diaz on Friday offered details of his captivity, during which his kidnappers advised him to remain calm, he said. "A lot of quite difficult horseback riding, lots of mountains, rain," Diaz said, recalling "almost 12 days without sleep." The rebel group is accused of financing itself through kidnapping, in addition to drug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion.

Persons: Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Luis Manuel Diaz, Liverpool, Luis Diaz, Gustavo Petro, Diaz, Antonio Garcia, Luis Jaime Acosta, Alistair Bell Organizations: United, Colombia's National Liberation Army, National Liberation Army, European Union, Thomson Locations: Colombia, Valledupar, BOGOTA, Liverpool, Barrancas, La Guajira, United States

☆ Liverpool loses in Europa League after controversial VAR decision, as Jurgen Klopp left angered by press conference
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The decision sent Stadium TFC into a frenzy, leaving Le Téfécé celebrating a famous win and Liverpool players incensed. I’m not even sure the ball touches the hand at all, but that’s how it is,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told TNT Sports after the match. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left frustrated by his team's performance. The night only got worse for Klopp, though, with the manager furious about the organization of his post-match press conference. That’s all I can say.”When asked about his decision to start Díaz against Toulouse, Klopp said: “We asked him, he wants to [play] and he will.”

Persons: Jarell, Georgi Kabakov, Alexis Mac Allister, Le, “, I’m, ”, Jurgen Klopp, Mac, Quansah’s, Thibault Camus, Klopp, it’s, Aron Dønnum, Thijs Dallinga, Cristian Cásseres Jr, Frank Magri, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota, Charly Triballeau, Luis Díaz’s, Luis Manuel Díaz, Cilenis Marulanda, Marulanda, Díaz, Luis Díaz, ” Klopp Organizations: CNN, Europa League, Toulouse, TFC, Liverpool, TNT Sports, Getty, Reds, National Liberation Army, United Nations, Catholic Church, Díaz Locations: Liverpool, Toulouse, ” Liverpool, ”, AFP, Colombian, Barrancas, Colombia, Valledupar

☆ Rebels in Colombia Free Father of Liverpool Soccer Star Luis Díaz
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Juan Forero | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The family home of Colombian soccer player Luis Díaz, with a poster of his father, Luis Manuel Díaz. Photo: ricardo maldonado rozo/ShutterstockBOGOTÁ, Colombia—A leftist rebel group that had kidnapped the father of European soccer star Luis Díaz released him Thursday after 13 days in which his abduction had touched off an uproar among Colombians over government efforts to engage armed groups in peace talks. The National Liberation Army, or ELN, a group known for kidnappings for much of its six-decade history, turned Luis Manuel Díaz over to two Catholic bishops who formed part of a humanitarian delegation dispatched to recover him, the church and government said.

Persons: Luis Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz ., ricardo maldonado rozo, Shutterstock, Luis Manuel Díaz Organizations: National Liberation Army Locations: Colombian, Colombia

BOGOTA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas on Thursday freed the father of Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz, after taking him hostage nearly two weeks ago, the government said. The elder Luis Diaz was snatched on Oct. 28 in Barrancas, a rural municipality where he lives in the northern province of La Guajira. Thank you all, much love to you all," the soccer star's father said after arriving at his home. "CRITICAL SITUATION"[1/5]Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Liverpool player Luis Diaz, waves after he was freed by Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN), in Valledupar, Colombia November 9, 2023. The ELN said a week ago it would free Diaz, and its top commander said the kidnapping was a mistake.

Persons: Luis Diaz, Luis Manuel Diaz, Player Diaz, Diaz, Luis Diaz's father's, Liverpool, Esteban Vanegas, Mision, ELN, Cilenis Marulanda, Luis Jaime Acosta, Julia Symmes Cobb, Oliver Griffin, Toby Davis, Grant McCool Organizations: National Liberation Army, Liverpool, Libertad, Liverpool's Premier League, Luton Town, Europa League, Toulouse, Colombia's National Liberation Army, REUTERS Acquire, Catholic Church, United Nations, Guerrilla, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA, Liverpool, Colombia's, Barrancas, La Guajira, Colombia, England, Papa, France, Valledupar

“We thank God for the release of Mr. Luis Díaz!” the conference posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Héctor Henao, delegate for Church-State relations, who formed the humanitarian commission in charge of facilitating his release.”Ceballos was on board a UN-funded helicopter that picked up Díaz’s father, Luis Manuel Díaz, from a forest area along the Colombian border with Venezuela. “We are delighted by the news of Luis Díaz’s father’s safe return and we thank all those involved in securing his release,” the club said in a statement. The Colombian government’s Peace Delegation and the ELN both welcomed the release of Díaz’s father. In addition, the Colombia Football Federation thanked all of the forces “that made possible the release of Luis Manuel Díaz, father of our player Luis Díaz.”

Persons: Luis Díaz, “, Francisco Ceballos, Héctor Henao, ” Ceballos, Luis Manuel Díaz, Díaz, Stéphane Dujarric, Caitlin Hu, ” Luis Manuel Díaz, Colombia Dujarric, Cilenis Marulanda, Marulanda, Luis Díaz’s father’s, Carlos Camargo Assis, ” Organizations: CNN, United Nations, Catholic Church, Episcopal, Church, State, UN, National Liberation Army, Liverpool, Sunday, Premier League, Luton Town, Liverpool’s Europa League, Toulouse, Colombian, United, Colombia’s, Colombia Football Federation Locations: Liverpool, Colombian, Valledupar, Colombia, Riohacha, Mons, Venezuela, Conferencia, Barrancas, France, United Nations

BOGOTA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas on Thursday freed the father of Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz, after taking him hostage in the country's north nearly two weeks ago, the government said. Diaz was named in the Liverpool's starting lineup later on Thursday as the English team faces France's Toulouse in the Europa League. [1/5]Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Liverpool player Luis Diaz, waves after he was freed by Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN), in Valledupar, Colombia November 9, 2023. Esteban Vanegas/Mision ONU (UNVMC)/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing Rights"The current process with the ELN has advanced like no other until today. The government is trying to conduct negotiations with various armed groups, but discussions with the ELN are the most advanced.

Persons: Luis Diaz, Luis Manuel Diaz, Diaz, France's, Luis Diaz's father's, ELN, Liverpool, Esteban Vanegas, Mision, Cilenis Marulanda, Luis Jaime Acosta, Julia Symmes Cobb, Oliver Griffin, Toby Davis Organizations: National Liberation Army, Liverpool, Luton Town, Sunday, France's Toulouse, Europa League, Colombia's National Liberation Army, REUTERS Acquire, Catholic Church, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA, Liverpool, Colombia's, Local, Valledupar, Colombia's Cesar, Colombia, La Guajira, Marulanda

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's government announced Thursday that the father of Liverpool striker Luis Díaz was released, 12 days after his kidnapping in northern Colombia by members of the guerrilla group National Liberation Army, or ELN. The release was announced by the government's delegation that currently is in peace negotiations with the ELN. Luis Manuel Díaz’s kidnapping on Oct. 28 in the small town of Barrancas quickly drew international attention. But Colombia’s government announced last week that it had information that Díaz was kidnapped by an ELN unit. The ELN later acknowledged the kidnapping, saying it was a mistake and that the group’s top leadership had ordered the elder Díaz’s release.

Persons: —, Liverpool, Luis Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz’s, Diaz, ’, Papa ”, Díaz, ELN Organizations: National Liberation Army, Liverpool, Premier League soccer Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Barrancas, Colombian

☆ Luis Diaz: Colombia’s ELN guerrilla group says military operations don’t allow the release of footballer’s father
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Fernando Ramos | Abel Alvarado | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The National Liberation Army – the Colombian guerrilla group known by its acronym ELN – said military operations “don’t allow” the release of footballer Luis Díaz’s father, Luis Manuel Díaz, kidnapped since October 28. Luis Manuel Díaz was kidnapped in the small town of Barrancas, department of La Guajira, in northern Colombia. “This scenario does not allow carrying out the release plan quickly and safely, where there is no risk for Mr. Luis Manuel Díaz”, the statement said. Later on Monday, Colombia’s military officials said its troops, part of the search operation, were “ordered to reposition themselves” to provide guarantees for Díaz’s release. Colombia’s Ombudsman’s Office , the Catholic Church and the International Red Cross have offered to serve as guarantors for Luis Manuel Díaz’s release.

Persons: –, Luis Díaz’s, Luis Manuel Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz ”, “, Cilenis Marulanda, Marulanda, ”, Lismari Machado, James Rodríguez, Diaz, Colombia’s, Luis Manuel Díaz’s Organizations: CNN, National Liberation Army –, Colombian, Liverpool, Premier League, AFP, Getty, Colombian national soccer team, Catholic Church, Colombian Government Locations: Barrancas, La Guajira, Colombia, Díaz

☆ Luiz Díaz begs for release of kidnapped father after scoring stoppage-time equalizer for Liverpool
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Liverpool player Luis Díaz has pleaded for his kidnapped father to be released back to his family in Colombia. Díaz made the appeal hours after coming on as a substitute and scoring a late equalizer during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Luton Town on Sunday. I beg that they [the ELN] release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait as soon as possible. A major police and military search operation for Díaz’s father is ongoing. The 26-year-old forward traveled back to Colombia after his parents’ kidnapping and returned to the UK ahead of Liverpool’s game against Luton.

Persons: Luis Díaz, Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz, “, ” Díaz, Lismari Machado, Cilenis Marulanda, Harvey Elliott’s, ”, Jürgen Klopp, Klopp, Clive Rose, ” Tahith Chong Organizations: CNN, Liverpool, Luton Town, National Liberation Army, Premier League, AFP, Getty, Luton, Kenilworth, Díaz’s Locations: Colombia, Colombian, Barrancas, Colombia’s, La Guajira

Luis Diaz lifted his Liverpool jersey to reveal a T-shirt with the words “Libertad Para Papa” (“Freedom for Papa”) after scoring a late equalizer Sunday in his first appearance for the team since his parents were kidnapped in his native Colombia. Diaz returned to training on Thursday after missing two Liverpool games and said he was ready to play against Luton, with manager Jurgen Klopp selecting him on the bench. "That’s it, for us a super important goal and for him very important and emotional.”Klopp said before the game that “positive” negotiations were taking place about the release of Diaz's father. Tahith Chong looked like being the match-winner for Luton, converting a finish at the end of an 80th-minute counterattack that came after a Liverpool corner. “We pushed a top, top team all the way and we can take a lot of confidence from that.

Persons: Luis Diaz, Papa ”, Diaz, Jurgen Klopp, Harvey Elliott’s, ” Klopp, Klopp, Tahith Chong, ”, Rob Edwards, “, Emi Martinez, Aston Villa, Martinez, Orel Mangala’s, Ola Aina, Unai, Steve Douglas Organizations: Liverpool, Luton, Premier League, National Liberation Army, League's, Luton's, ” Luton, Nottingham Forest, Forest, Villa Locations: Papa, Colombia, Barrancas, Liverpool, Argentina

☆ Despite kidnap agony, Diaz makes the difference for Liverpool
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LUTON, England, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Liverpool's usually effervescent Colombian striker Luis Diaz looked solemn as he sat on the substitutes' bench during his side's Premier League game at Luton on Sunday. Rather, Diaz lifted up his shirt to revel a white undertop with words in black: "Libertad Para Papa" (Freedom For Dad). "We're supporting him and feeling his pain -- but for him it's a different level," said Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas have said they will release Luis Manuel Diaz, as they did Diaz's mother. He scored the goal but we need to see some improvement in Colombia."

Persons: Luis Diaz, Juergen, Rather, Diaz, revel, Alisson, Luis Manuel Diaz, Klopp, Andrew Cawthorne, Clare Fallon Organizations: Premier League, Luton, Liverpool, Colombia's National Liberation Army, Thomson Locations: LUTON, England, Colombian, Sunday, Papa, Colombia

☆ Luis Díaz: Colombian guerilla group says it will release Liverpool player’s father ‘as soon as possible’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Ilse Borrero | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Barrancas, Díaz’s hometown located in northern Colombia, has never been so guarded. Relatives and friends marched in Barrancas to show solidarity with the Díaz family. Hundreds of people marched through Barrancas demanding Díaz's release. Gaby Díaz thanked the media and the citizens of Barrancas for their interest in knowing the fate of his father. Meanwhile, journalists, cameramen, and photographers from local and foreign media remain on guard outside the Díaz family residence, waiting for some reaction or news of the release of the Liverpool FC star’s father.

Persons: Colombia CNN —, Luis Díaz’s, “, ” Luis Manuel Díaz, Cilenis Marulanda, Marulanda, Santiago Ángel, Juan Carlos Cuéllar, Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz, ”, Otty Patiño, Gaby Díaz, Lismari Machado, ” Cristian Almenares, General William René Salamanca, Guillermo Acuña, Barranco Organizations: Colombia CNN, National Liberation Army, Liverpool FC, Colombian government’s, Law, CNN, AFP, Getty, Colombian, Díaz, Police, Army, Colombian Police, ”, Liverpool FC star’s Locations: Barrancas, Colombia, Colombian, Colombia’s La Guajira, ” Salamanca

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Escalating tensions between Colombia and Israel over the Gaza war could undo decades of close military ties between them and hamper Colombia’s ability to fight drug traffickers and rebels, security analysts say. Israel has been one of Colombia’s main suppliers of war planes, surveillance equipment and assault rifles since the 1990s. “It will be debilitating and extremely costly,” said Jorge Restrepo, the director of CERAC, a security think tank in Bogota. “Colombia continues to face a plethora of internal security challenges, and they need a strong military with various capabilities” Sánchez said. “If we must suspend relations with Israel, then that is what we will do,” Petro wrote on the social media platform X.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, ”, Jorge Restrepo, Erich Saumeth Cadavid, Cadavid, Wilder Alejandro Sánchez, ” Sánchez, Sánchez, ” Petro, Petro’s, Diego Molano, “ Petro, Sergio Guzmán, Petro Organizations: Analysts, Colombia’s Defense Ministry, IAI, Boeing, Revolutionary Armed Forces, EMC Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Israel, Gaza, Nazi Germany, Bogota, “, Colombian, France, Sweden, United States, Gulf, Washington, Palestine, America, Caribbean

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s commitment to transform long-marginalized rural and conflict areas and new peace efforts were the highlights of his first year in office, the U.N. special envoy for the South American country said. More than 14,000 FARC fighters gave up their weapons under that agreement, but violence between some rebel groups has grown in parts of Colombia. Leyva said the council resolution states that the justice component should apply to all who participated directly or indirectly in the conflict. Wood reiterated the U.S. commitment to working with Colombia to implement the 2016 peace agreement. Ambassador Barbara Woodward also welcomed the government’s recent progress on rural reform and restitution of land to Indigenous communities.

Persons: Gustavo Petro’s, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, ”, Colombia’s, Alvaro Leyva, —, Petro, ” Leyva, Leyva, Robert Wood, ” Wood, Wood, Britain’s U.N, Barbara Woodward, Ruiz ’ Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, South, . Security, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Council, National Development, Security, National Liberation Army, EMC, Colombian, Colombia ” Locations: Colombia, U.S, “, Colombian

☆ US slams Colombia president's remarks on Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks during an event with peace negotiators of Colombia's government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels, in Bogota, Colombia August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Vannessa Jimenez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBOGOTA, Oct 12 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday criticised remarks made by Colombian President Gustavo Petro in which he compared Israeli government comments to those made by Nazis, and called on him to condemn Hamas. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant drew international condemnation by announcing on Monday a "total blockade" to stop food and fuel reaching Gaza, home to 2.3 million people. Public broadcaster Kan said the Israeli death toll from the attack had risen to more than 1,300. Lipstadt, a historian, successfully defeated a libel case brought by British author David Irving after she labeled him a Holocaust denier.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Vannessa Jimenez, Petro, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Israel, Deborah Lipstadt, Kan, David Irving, Oliver Griffin, Mark Porter Organizations: National Liberation Army, REUTERS, Rights, Colombian, Hamas, Israeli, Democratic, U.S ., Public, Nazi, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia, Rights BOGOTA, United States, Gaza, Warsaw, British

☆ Exclusive: At least 40% of Colombia's ELN rebels seen rejecting peace deal, security sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Luis Jaime Acosta | Thomson Reuters | Luis Jaime Has Worked At Reuters For More Than Years. While He Chiefly Covers Colombia'S Armed Conflict | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Pablo Beltran, head of leftist guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN), speaks with members of the media in Caracas, Venezuela January 21, 2023. It would also appear to undermine repeated reassurances by ELN leaders that the group is united behind talks. The three security sources said some 2,300 of the ELN's total 5,850 members were seen as likely to reject the deal. The ELN talks, which restarted in November 2022, are the most advanced of Petro's peace efforts, which also include conversations with crime gangs like the Clan del Golfo. "We don't deny the risks that could come from a dialogue that doesn't acknowledge that reality," Rueda said, but added that orders from national ELN leaders are respected by fighters.

Persons: Pablo Beltran, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Gustavo Petro, holdouts, they're, Antonio Garcia, Danilo Rueda, Rueda, Ariel Avila, Avila, Luis Jaime Acosta, Julia Symmes Cobb, Daniel Wallis Organizations: National Liberation Army, REUTERS, Rights, Colombia's National Liberation Army, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Northeastern Fronts, Reuters, Green Alliance, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Rights BOGOTA, Colombia, Eastern

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