Colombian leftist rebel group holding soccer player's father demands "security guarantees" for release

The left wing rebel organization holding Luis Diaz's father hostage is now demanding "security guarantees" in exchange for his release.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) said the government’s continuing search “will delay the release and increase the risks,” according to Colombian press reports.

Luis Manuel Diaz and his wife were taken hostage at gunpoint in Barrancas, Colombia in the northern province of La Guajira on Oct. 28.

His son, who plays soccer for the Brits in Liverpool demanded the kidnappers demanded the kidnappers release free Diaz immediately to end what he described as a “painful wait.”

The soccer player’s mother was left behind by kidnappers in an automobile after police began catching up with them, but they retained custody of his father.

The leftist rebels said they will release Diaz “as soon as possible,” but tensions are growing with Colombians coming out to protest, demanding the kidnappers free the soccer player’s father.

Commander Jose Manuel Martinez Quiroz said in a statement the wide attention and massive rescue operation by Colombian police and military was delaying the release.

“We are making efforts to avoid incidents with government forces,” the ELN said. “The area is still militarized, they are carrying out flyovers, disembarking troops, broadcasting and offering rewards as part of an intense search operation.

"This situation is not allowing for the execution of the release plan quickly and safely, where Mr. Luis Manuel Diaz is not at risk.

"If operations continue in the area, they will delay the release and increase the risks.

"We understand the anguish of the Diaz Marulanda family, to whom we say that we will keep our word to release him unilaterally, as soon as we have security guarantees for the development of the liberation operation."

Diaz, 26, did not play for Liverpool FC since their Europa League win over Toulouse on Oct. 26 but returned to the field for Sunday's Premier League match at Luton.

After a score, Diaz lifted his shirt where he bared a message of “freedom for papa.” He subsequently released a statement asking the ELN rebels release his father.

“I beg that they free him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait. In the name of love and compassion we ask they reconsider their actions and allow us to have him back,” Diaz said.

The ELN is a Marxist-Leninist guerilla insurgency group that has existed in Colombia since 1964. In 2013, it was estimated there were still 1,300-3,000 active rebels remaining with the group.

It has been classified as a terrorist group by Colombia, Canada, the United States, the European Union and Venezuela’s National Assembly.