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☆ What’s Happening In Myanmar’s Civil War?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Hannah Beech | Weiyi Cai | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +16 min

RUSSIA CHINA INDIA Pacific Ocean MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIA RUSSIA CHINA INDIA Pacific Ocean MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIAWhat’s Happening In Myanmar’s Civil War? Parliamentary rule 1962 Military coup 1988 Nearly five decades of military rule Widespread pro-democracy protests followed by bloody military crackdown. National civil unrest 2021 Military coup ended power sharing with civilian government. Parliamentary rule Nearly five decades of military rule National civil unrest British colonial rule 1948 1988 1990 2007 2011 2021 1962 2015 Widespread pro-democracy protests followed by bloody military crackdown. National civil unrest 2021 Military coup ended power sharing with civilian government.

Persons: Adam Ferguson, Min Aung, Daw Aung, Suu Kyi, Aung, —, Tom Andrews, Chin, Rakhine Karen Mon Bamar, Kayan, Karen, Ms, hideouts Organizations: MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean, Insurgent, Council, Myanmar, 8th Battalion, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, The New York Times, Senior, National Unity Government, People’s Defense Forces, Rebels, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, Myanmar Peace Monitor, United Nations, General Administration Department, Union of, United, National Liberation Army Locations: RUSSIA CHINA, MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIA RUSSIA CHINA, MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian, MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIA, INDIA CHINA BANGLADESH Mandalay MYANMAR LAOS Naypyidaw Bay, Bengal Yangon THAILAND, INDIA CHINA Mandalay MYANMAR, Yangon THAILAND Bay, Bengal, Myanmar, Ukraine, Gaza, India, China, Karenni State, country’s, Suu, Myanmar’s, British, Sagaing Region, MYANMAR, Naypyidaw, Burma, United States, Rakhine, Thailand, Union, Union of Burma, Afghanistan

CNN —Myanmar rebels fighting the junta say they have seized the last remaining military base in a key border town, dealing the latest significant blow to the country’s military rulers as they struggle to cling to power. About 200 soldiers abandoned their base in the southeastern town of Myawaddy and have been pushed to the No 2. “Officially we (are in) control of the town Myawaddy since last night,” KNU spokesperson Saw Taw Nee said. Footage also showed Thai military vehicles and troops stationed along the border. CNN has reached out to Myanmar’s military junta for comment.

Persons: Karen, ”, Saw Taw, Thailand’s Mae Sot, Manan Vatsyayana, “, Naw Tee, Aung, Thailand's, Prasarn Saengsirirak, ” Prasarn, Prasarn, Kim Jolliffe, it’s Organizations: CNN, Myanmar, Karen National Union, UN, Reuters, Getty, Karen National Liberation Army, Command, National League for Democracy, Army, Arakan Army Locations: Myawaddy, Myanmar, Thailand, Thailand’s, Tak, Thailand's Mae Sot, AFP, Teetering, Aung San, Kachin, China, Rakhine, Arakan

☆ Phillip Mehrtens: Militants squabble over fate of New Zealand pilot on anniversary of his kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Militant rebels in Indonesia’s restive West Papua are urging their most feared comrade to release a New Zealand pilot held hostage for a year. Mehrtens’ captors initially threatened to kill him unless New Zealand agreed to pressure Indonesia into allowing West Papua to secede from Indonesia, a seemingly impossible demand. West Papua separatist fighters release images of their hostage soon after his capture in February 2023. West Papua National Liberation ArmyFailed rescue effortsGrainy proof of life videos sent by the rebels between February and November 2023 show Mehrtens growing thinner and more unkempt. “The Indonesian response is dictated by the Indonesian military and their view is that they will hunt down this group, kill the leaders and release Mehrtens,” Kingsbury said.

Persons: Eganius Koyega, Phillip Mehrtens, Mehrtens ’, Mehrtens, Koyega, ” Koyega, ” TPNPB, Terryanus Satto, aren’t, hasn’t, Damien Kingsbury, ”, Winston Peters, Christmas Phillip, ” Peters, ” Kingsbury, “, Cammi Webb, Gannon, ’ ”, Webb, ” Webb, TPNB, Andreas Harsono, Prabowo Subianto, “ Prabowo, ” Harsono Organizations: CNN — Militant, New, Koyega, West Papuan National Liberation Army, Free Papua Movement, West Papua National Liberation Army, Indonesian Army, New Zealand, New Zealand Foreign Affairs, New Zealand Government, CNN, Australia’s University of Wollongong, Indonesian, Human Rights Watch, Rights, West Locations: Indonesia’s restive West Papua, Zealand, Nduga, New Zealand, Indonesia, West Papua, Indonesian, Papuan, West, New, Australia, Jakarta, “, ” West Papua, Papua

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

☆ New Zealand Calls for Kiwi Pilot to Be Freed a Year After Papua Kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - New Zealand has called for the immediate release of Kiwi pilot Phillip Mehrtens, a year after he was taken hostage by rebels in Indonesia's Papua region, its foreign minister said on Monday. His continued detention serves the interests of no one," New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement. The New Zealand foreign minister said a range of government agencies continued to work extensively with their Indonesian counterparts to secure Mehrtens' release. The separatist group has released video of Mehrtens several times, asking the United Nations to mediate talks towards Papua's independence. In one of the videos, he was seen holding the banned Morning Star flag and surrounded by Papuan fighters.

Persons: Phillip Mehrtens, Egianus Kogoya, Mehrtens, Phillip, Winston Peters, Sebby Sambom, Ananda Teresia, Kate Lamb, Jamie Freed Organizations: Kiwi, West Papua National Liberation Army, New Zealand Foreign, United Nations, New Zealand, United, Star Locations: JAKARTA, New Zealand, Indonesia's Papua, Nduga, Papua, Papua New Guinea, United Nations

☆ 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

Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe Arakan Army is a member of the armed ethnic group alliance that recently gained strategic territory in the country’s northeast. The Arakan Army is the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, which seeks autonomy from Myanmar’s central government. The Arakan Army first said late Sunday night that it gained complete control of Paletwa township. Paletwa, whose location on the border gives it strategic importance, is where the Arakan Army first established a foothold in 2015 to fight the against the army. However, the Chin have been a major force in the resistance against the military since the army seized power in 2021, so they now share a common enemy with the Arakan Army.

Persons: Khaing, Khaing Thukha, Aung, Suu Kyi, hasn't, Paletwa, Chin Organizations: Arakan Army, Associated Press, Military, Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army —, Paletwa Locations: BANGKOK, Rakhine, India, Bangladesh, Arakan, Paletwa, Chin, Shan, China, Suu

On Nov. 18, China’s Ministry of Public Security announced that authorities in northern Myanmar had handed over some 31,000 suspects. The Kokang Self-Administered Zone and the Wa Self-Administered Division both share a border with China and are heavily influenced by their bigger neighbor. The Ming family are not the only powerful Kokang families caught up in the drive. Wa police handed 194 Chinese nationals to Chinese authorities on Nov. 28, according to Wa's state media, Voice of Wa State. Others say that China is showing it won't tolerate the scams anymore, regardless of how powerful are the people behind them.

Persons: ”, Lu Jiantang, Jason Tower, Ming, Hu Xijin, ” Hu, Wei Qingtao, they’ll, ” Wei, Liu Zhengqi, Ming Xuechang, Kokang, Yin Masan, MNDAA, cyberscammers, Richard Horsey, “, Bai Suocheng, Li Kyar Wen, It’s, Wanqing Chen Organizations: China’s Ministry of Public Security, U.S . Congress, United States Institute of Peace, Communist Party, China’s Communist Party, CCTV, Global Times, of Public Security, Fully, Wa Construction Ministry, Wa Communist Party, Brotherhood Alliance, Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, International Crisis Locations: BANGKOK, China, Myanmar, “, Wa, Kokang, Yunnan, Wa State, Shan, Arakan, cyberscams, Beijing

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

CNN —Almost three years on from its bloody coup, Myanmar’s military junta is facing the biggest threat to its hold on power as it fights wars on multiple fronts across the Southeast Asian nation. Junta airstrikes and ground attacks on what the Myanmar military calls “terrorist” targets have killed thousands of civilians to date, including children, and displaced about 2 million people. Stringer/AFP/Getty ImagesCNN has reached out to Myanmar’s military spokesperson for comment on the recent fighting but has not received a response. Stringer/AFP/Getty ImgesIn the jungles of southeast Kayah state, fighting has raged near the state capital Loikaw. Video filmed and published by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force appears to show Myanmar army soldiers surrendering to rebels at Loikaw University who are filmed treating their injuries.

Persons: ”, Matthew Arnold, ” Arnold, Min Aung, Aung, Suu Kyi, “, Bo Nagar, Stringer, Myint Swe, Chin Shwe Haw, Nan Diya, Lalmalsawma Hnamte, Lin Lin, Ye Myo Hein, May, – “, Karen, Chin state’s Matupi, Tian Junli, Arnold, Myanmar’s, it’s, Suu Organizations: CNN, United Nations, National Unity Government, Junta, Myanmar, UN, Administration Council, Burma National Revolutionary Army, National Liberation Army, Alliance, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Arakan Army, ”, Getty, Reuters, Loikaw, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, Loikaw University, Resistance, Burma People’s Liberation Army, Brotherhood Alliance, United States Institute of Peace, Wilson Center, Border Guard Forces, China, Global Times, PLA Southern Theater Command Locations: Myanmar, Myanmar’s, Suu, Yangon, Mandalay, Burma, Namhsan Township, Shan State, AFP, Arakan, China, ”, Shan, Chin, Muse, Rakhine, Pauktaw, Lashio, Kayah, Mizoram, “, Sagaing region, Asia, Kawkareik, Karenni, Sagaing, India, Thailand, Bangladesh

Muse hosts the 105-Mile Trade Zone and has the greatest volume of trade with China. It is the fourth border crossing seized by the alliance forces in a month of intense fighting. Social media sites associated with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army displayed photos and video of what they said were its forces at the border gate. Fighting has been raging in the region since the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, calling themselves the Three Brotherhood Alliance, launched a coordinated offensive on Oct. 27. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army has made common cause with Beijing by declaring elimination of the cyberscam operations to be one of its goals.

Persons: Le Kyar, “, ” Le Kyar Win, couldn't, hasn't, Zaw Min Tun, Aung, Suu Kyi, Myanmar's, beseiging Laukkaing Organizations: Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Associated Press, Muse, Trade, Social, Arakan Army, National Liberation Army, Brotherhood Alliance Locations: BANGKOK, China, Muse, Myanmar, Shan, Maj, Zaw, Arakan, Suu, Laukkaing, Beijing

☆ Is the rule of Myanmar's junta under threat?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Importantly, they were joined also by members of so-called people's defence forces, a loosely organised movement backed by Myanmar's parallel, National Unity Government (NUG). HOW SERIOUS A THREAT IS THE JUNTA FACING? It is too soon to predict the extent to which the military's rule in the rest of the country could be under threat, analysts say. But the 1027 offensive has given a black eye to a well-equipped military with decades of experience fighting insurgencies. With its reputation at stake, the junta is unlikely to concede easily and risk a domino effect of challenges to its authority in more regions of a country where its rule is deeply unpopular.

Persons: Martin Petty, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, Arakan Army, National Unity Government, AA, Security, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, Myanmar's Khawmawi, India, Zokhawthar, Champhai district, India's, Mizoram, Shan State, China, Rakhine State, Kayah, Thailand, Sagaing, Chin State

☆ 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

☆ 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

Myanmar's junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on February 1, 2021, presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. "This is the weakest the Tatmadaw has been since the coup," the diplomat said, referring to Myanmar's military and asking not to be named. Maung Saungkha, leader of the Bamar People's Liberation Army, which contributed troops to the offensive, told Reuters the rebel alliance had spent more than a year preparing to take on the better-armed military. CHINA'S SHADOWSo far, rebel troops have faced unexpectedly weak opposition from the military, according to analysts and resistance leaders who spoke to local media. In a statement announcing the operation, the alliance said they intended to remove those enclaves, which they said were protected by the junta.

Persons: General Min Aung Hlaing, Stringer, Maung Saungkha, Nobel, Aung, Suu Kyi, Min Aung, Richard Horsey, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Armed Forces, REUTERS, Junta, United States Institute of Peace, United Nations, Liberation Army, Reuters, National Unity Government, Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, Crisis, Thomson Locations: Naypyitaw, Myanmar, BANGKOK, China, Myanmar's, Shan, Beijing, Suu, Sagaing, Arakan

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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 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, 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

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

“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

☆ 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

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