Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s father has been finally released by Colombia’s ELN guerrilla group on Thursday (Nov 9) after being kidnapped for 12 days.

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The news comes as a huge relief for the forward and his close mates, with the striker now set to travel to his homeland ahead of Colombia’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Diaz’s parents were kidnapped on October 28. His mother was rescued on the same day while his father Luis Manuel Diaz was held hostage.

ELN guerrilla group releases Luis Manuel Diaz

On Thursday, the rebels handed Diaz to a humanitarian mission after which he arrived by helicopter in the northeastern city of Valledupar. The city is some 90 km away from Diaz’s hometown of Barrancas, from where he along with his wife were kidnapped. With the latest developments on Thursday, the player and his family can now heave a sigh of relief with the return of Luis Manuel Diaz.

“Long live Freedom and Peace,” President Gustavo Petro wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the release.

On Sunday, Diaz had begged the ELN to free his father.

“I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organizations to intercede for his freedom,” Diaz said on X.

“Every second, every minute our anguish grows,” the young footballer added.

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Diaz had a tough period during the last 12 days while he stayed in England despite the news of the kidnap.

He was not in the matchday squad for the Premier League match against Nottingham Forest last Sunday where his teammates showed strong support to him in the tough time.

He was reinstated in the team for his side’s away match against Luton Town, where he made a remarkable return.

Having come on as a substitute, he scored a 94th-minute equaliser, with his side trailing 0-1 in the match.

He would then showcase his support to his family with a message in Spanish written on his inner shirt.

He is next likely to take the field on late Thursday evening when Liverpool take on Toulouse FC in the Europa League.

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