LUIS Diaz’s dad has reportedly been rescued from a terrifying kidnapping during a police shootout which left two of his captors dead.
The search continued for Luis Manuel Diaz following the release of the footballer's mum after they were taken hostage on Saturday near their home in Barrancas, Colombia.
Reports in local media in the La Guajira region, which Barrancas forms part of, say the striker’s dad has now been freed following a shootout with police which resulted in the deaths of two of the four kidnappers.
The incident is said to have happened near an area called Los Barrancones as the captors headed towards Colombia’s border with Venezuela with the intention of smuggling him into the neighbouring country.
It comes after his mum, Cilenis Marulanda, was freed from her captors and was pictured overnight enjoying a tearful reunion with relatives.
There has not yet been any official confirmation Luis Diaz’s dad has also been rescued.
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The reports emerged as a man described as the best friend of Luis Manuel Diaz told a Colombian radio station the footballer’s dad and his wife had been heading to the home of a relative when they were taken hostage at a petrol station.
Victor Medina said: “It was 5.30pm 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.
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“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.”
Responding to claims there was an exchange of gunfire before Cilenis was rescued, Medina said: “I haven’t had the chance to speak to her yet.
“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.”
He added: “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.
“But there is always going to be someone who wants to harm a family, a family which is bringing a lot of glory and a lot of recognition to Barrancas.
“The general public rejects acts like this targeting a much-loved and respected family in our municipality.”
The Colombian army said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: "Army troops support the search operation for the parents of soccer player Luis Díaz, who apparently are victims of kidnapping."
Liverpool FC released a statement today confirming their awareness of the ongoing situation involving Diaz's parents.
"It is our fervent hope that the matter is resolved safely and at the earliest possible opportunity.
"In the meantime, the player’s welfare will continue to be our immediate priority," they said.
Diaz is Colombia's biggest star and has scored nine goals in 43 appearances for the national side.
His father previously revealed the Liverpool ace suffered from an illness which caused him to lose a dangerous amount of weight.
The tricky winger went from "chubby" to extremely skinny which could've cost him his life.
Diaz was born and raised in the heartland of Colombia's largest indigenous community.
His football skills impressed scouts, including Colombia legend Carlos Valderrama.
After scoring seven goals at the 2015 Copa Sudamericana de Pueblos Indigenas, Diaz’s career began to take off.
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Atletico Junior sent him on loan to Barranquilla, where he was put on a special diet to gain 10kg.
Diaz crossed the Atlantic to join Porto in 2019, before moving to Liverpool in January 2022.
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