Luis Diaz with his family. (Twitter)
The 26-year-old’s parents, who were abducted by gunmen on motorcycles while travelling from their home in Barrancas on Saturday, were rescued thanks to a police mission. The player’s mother was recovered on Saturday, while his father was rescued from the kidnappers’ clutches early on Sunday.
Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s parents, who had been kidnapped on Saturday, were reportedly rescued by the Colombian authorities early on Sunday.
The 26-year-old’s parents were abducted by gunmen on motorcycles while travelling from their home in Barrancas on Saturday in a shocking incident.
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Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued by police in the city of Barrancas, after being kidnapped in northern Colombia on Saturday, before authorities tracked down the player’s father.
According to reports, the police rescue mission, which set out to free Diaz’s father from the clutches of the kidnappers, resulted in the deaths of two of the four delinquents, near the Colombia- Venezuela border.
A source close to the family shed light on the horrendous incident stating, “It was 5.30 pm local time on Saturday. They had filled up with petrol and then went to a neighbourhood nearby to collect something from a relative of Celinis. There the captors arrived, four men on motorbikes.
“They threatened them with weapons, made them get into the same vehicle and sped off with the other two on a motorbike tailing them. They headed for a rural area. The authorities were informed and there was a chase.”
Reports expressed that Diaz’s mother is yet to recover from the shock and distress of the unsavoury experience.
“It’s a difficult situation. She’s back at home with doctors because we know she arrived quite distressed after what has been a trauma for her. We’re just waiting for everything to calm down a bit before we speak with her.”
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The source added that Diaz’s father, Luis Manuel Diaz, is a loved and respected member of society and that the family is back to safety in the confines of their domestic domicile.
“Luis Manuel Diaz is a person who is much loved in Barrancas and there’s never been any talk of threats. He and his family are highly appreciated in this municipality and that is why he always felt calm and safe here.”