THE head negotiator working to free Luis Diaz’s father has said he should be released soon after Colombian military met the ELN’s demands.
Soldiers and police withdrew from the area surrounding guerrilla group ELN’s jungle lair following their bid for “security guarantees”.
Otty Patiño, head of the Government’s team responsible for negotiating with the ELN, today insisted that the rebel group has to release him today.
It comes after 200 men searching for the Liverpool star’s father in Colombia’s Perija Mountains were told to return to the town of Barrancas where he was abducted just over a week ago.
“All the guarantees and conditions are being offered so Mr Diaz can recover his freedom in the next few hours,” Colombia’s Army said of the military manoeuvre.
ELN had previously pledged to “keep its word” and free Diaz, but said the government’s response had made his release difficult as they swarmed areas nearby with police and soldiers.
The group insisted on “security guarantees” before freeing the football ace’s dad, sparking the military withdrawal from the area.
Patiño released a statement on Tuesday affirming that this suspension of search efforts in the area was done in anticipation of his expected release.
He said on local radio: “Practically the operational deployment for the search for Mr. Díaz was suspended in some way, there was already a clearing of the area regarding that operation
“They are supposed to release Mr. Luis Manuel Díaz today, there is no pretext for that ‘Don’t do it'”.
The UN has also joined calls to free the footballer’s kidnapped dad.
A UN representative said “UN Human Rights Colombia joins the urgent call of Luis Díaz for the safe release of his father and we call on the armed groups to respect International Humanitarian Law, the civilian population and to immediately release all the people they have in their possession”.
It comes after the Liverpool star broke his silence with an emotional social media appeal.
The 26-year-old, referring to his father by his nickname “Mane” wrote on Instagram: “This is not Luis Diaz the player speaking.
“Today it is the son of Luis Manuel Diaz speaking.
“Mane, my dad, is a hard-working family man, the pillar of our family and he’s been kidnapped.
“I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organisations to work together for his freedom.
“Every second, every minute, our anguish grows. My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, distressed and without words to describe what we are feeling.
“This suffering will only end when we have him back home. I beg you to release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait as soon as possible.
“In the name of love and compassion, we ask you to reconsider your actions and allow us to have him back.
“I thank Colombians and the international community for the support received, thank you for so many demonstrations of affection and solidarity in this difficult time that many families in my country find themselves experiencing.”
He released his statement after coming off the bench to score a last-gasp equaliser for Liverpool against Luton on Sunday afternoon.
Luis Diaz’s mum Cilenis Marulanda was also abducted near the couple’s home alongside her husband but freed shortly afterwards.
On Sunday morning she fought back tears as she urged the kidnappers to release her partner.
The ELN responded with a statement signed by the unit’s leader Commander Jose Manuel Martinez Quiroz.
