Colombian National Liberation Army

Colombia's rebel National Liberation Army (ELN) announced on the 2nd that it will soon release the father of England's Liverpool and Colombia's national team striker Luis Díaz, who were kidnapped recently.

Díaz's parents were kidnapped by gunmen on a motorcycle at a gas station in Varancas, La Guahira, on the border with Venezuela, on Saturday (28th). His mother was released after hours of kidnapping. Barancas is home to Díaz.

Earlier in the day, the Colombian government announced that ELN was behind the kidnapping, calling for his release.

Government official Oti Patino, one of the heads of peace negotiations with the guerrilla group, said: "We demand that the ELN immediately release Mr. Luis Manuel Diaz, and at this time they are fully responsible for protecting his life and identity."

Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco said the situation was very serious and violated a ceasefire agreement between the government and the rebels.

"We will release Díaz's father as soon as possible," an ELN official said, according to Reuters and SKY News.

The Colombian government has deployed special forces to search mountainous areas near the border.

ELN, a rebel group formed in 1964, is based near the border between Colombia and Venezuela and makes profits from drug trafficking and illegal mineral collection. Currently, it is considered to be the most powerful militant group in Colombia.

Díaz is currently considered Colombia's best footballer and has scored three goals in 11 appearances for Liverpool this season."

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