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