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