The search for Luis Diaz’s father continues following the abduction of his parents in Colombia on Saturday
Colombia national team manager Nestor Lorenzo has sent a message of support to Liverpool forward Luis Diaz following the abduction of his father.
Colombian police are still searching for Luis Manuel Diaz, who was taken with his wife Cilenis Marulanda, on Saturday before her release. The Reds learned of the ordeal late on Saturday evening, and the 26-year-old was allowed to sit out the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Multiple sources in Colombia have claimed that the family’s van was ambushed at a petrol station by four armed men on motorcycles. ‘Operation Padlock’ was launched to free Diaz’s mother and father from the kidnappers, and the roads out of La Guajira were closed. Mrs. Marulanda was found in the Carretalito district.
The likes of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, as well as several Liverpool stars, have sent messages to Diaz, and Lorenzo is the latest football figure to offer his support, following the disturbing incident on Thursday.
“I fight with you all! We pray and cry for the speedy release of your father HEALTHY AND SAFE!!! All COLOMBIA WITH YOU,” the 57-year-old Argentinian wrote on Instagram.
“We are still waiting for the release of dad from @luisdiaz19_ that sanity reigns, we want him HEALTHY and SAFE!!! we are with you Lucho.”
General William Salamanca, the director of Colombia’s National Police, spoke with Diaz on the phone to confirm details about his father as they oversee the rescue mission. It has been said that over 100 troops have been deployed in a bid to find Diaz snr, with a £40,000 reward offered for information on his whereabouts.
On Monday, General Alejandro Zapata gave an update on the situation, revealing they had ‘clarity’ over the identity of those responsible for the kidnapping.
“We have clarity about people who could have been linked to the event,” he said. “When events like this occur, they are generally not spontaneous; there is prior planning, with people who take others to a place, meaning they locate them so that others can arrive, and that is what we are investigating.
“What we know is that the kidnapping occurred in La Guajira and logically it is close to the border. We do not have any evidence at this time that indicates that the border has been crossed. We can’t say for sure, but we don’t rule it out either. It’s quite possible that they’re looking for a chance to escape to that place.
“We have made progress in the investigation, with personnel from the Gaula and the Intelligence and Judicial Police analyzing that information.”
