In a concerning development from Colombia, the father of Liverpool’s esteemed winger, Luis Diaz, remains unaccounted for following a distressing kidnapping incident. The Colombian authorities have been steadfast in their efforts, asserting that Mr. Diaz is still within the country’s borders, and there is a growing belief that the culprits have been identified.
THE KIDNAPPING IN BARRANCAS
The unsettling event unfolded over the weekend when Luis Manuel Diaz, alongside his wife Cilenis Marulanda, was forcibly taken by armed individuals on motorbikes in the town of Barrancas. The police have since located Marulanda, but the quest to find Diaz’s father intensifies, with a comprehensive rescue operation in progress across Colombia.
THE HUNT INTENSIFIES
Intelligence reports from El Tiempo have pinpointed that Mr. Diaz is likely in the vicinity of the forest-dense Perija mountains, dismissing earlier concerns of him being smuggled into Venezuela. The search has escalated, with over 230 specialist police and military personnel deployed, aided by advanced aerial surveillance technology, including a Black Hawk helicopter and a plane with heat-detection capabilities.
CLUES EMERGE AMIDST THE SEARCH
Deputy Director of the Colombian National Police, General Alejandro Zapata, has indicated that the investigation has made significant strides. Security footage has led to the identification of several individuals potentially involved in the kidnapping. The authorities are dissecting the premeditated nature of this crime, with ongoing analysis by the elite Gaula unit and the Intelligence and Judicial Police.
A COMMUNITY RALLIES FOR DIAZ’S FATHER
In a heartfelt display of solidarity, the Colombian community has taken to the streets, clamouring for the safe return of Diaz’s father. A peaceful march, prompted by social media and supported by Diaz’s family and friends, saw a sea of white-clad participants, including Diaz’s mother, advocating for his release.
FAMILY AND FOOTBALL: DIAZ’S DIFFICULT DECISION
Despite the turmoil, 26-year-old Diaz is expected to remain in England, adhering to counsel regarding his safety. The footballer’s partner, Gera Ponce, has been instrumental in rallying support, sharing a call to action for the community’s sit-in at Boulevard Buenavista, echoing the collective yearning for a resolution to this harrowing ordeal.