Who are Luis Diaz’s Parents? Meet Luis Manuel Diaz & Cilenis Marulanda, Kidnapped In Colombia
Father Luis Manuel Diaz, and Mother Cilenis Marulanda:- Luis Diaz is a Colombian and Liverpool striker who has been making headlines for his impressive performance on the field. He scored four goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping his team reach the semifinals. He also joined Liverpool in August 2023, becoming one of the most expensive transfers in the club’s history.
But behind his success, there is a tragic story of his parents’ kidnapping in his home country. Luis Manuel Diaz and Cilenis Marulanda, the parents of Luis Diaz, were abducted by armed criminals on Saturday, October 28, 2023, in the town of Barrancas, La Guajira, Colombia. They were at a service station when they were accosted by gunmen on motorbikes who drove them away in their vehicle.
The kidnapping shocked the nation and the world, as well as the football community. Many people expressed their solidarity and support for Luis Diaz and his family, hoping for their safe return. The Colombian government and authorities also condemned the crime and launched an urgent operation to rescue the hostages and capture the perpetrators.
The rescue operation
According to the reports from the local media and authorities, the rescue operation involved a specialized team of prosecutors, investigators, police and military personnel. They used intelligence and surveillance to locate the kidnappers and their hideouts.
On Saturday night, October 28, 2023, the police managed to rescue Cilenis Marulanda, the mother of Luis Diaz, in the city of Barrancas. She was found unharmed and reunited with her relatives. The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, announced the news on his social media account and praised the work of the authorities.
However, Luis Manuel Diaz, the father of Luis Diaz, remained missing until Sunday morning, October 29, 2023. The police continued their search and tracked down another group of kidnappers in a rural area near Barrancas. A shootout ensued between the police and the criminals, resulting in the deaths of two of the four abductors. The police were able to rescue Luis Manuel Diaz, who was also unhurt and taken to a hospital for a check-up.
The president of Colombia also confirmed the successful rescue of Luis Manuel Diaz on his social media account and congratulated the authorities for their bravery and efficiency. He also said that the remaining kidnappers would be captured soon and brought to justice.
Reaction
Luis has not commented publicly on the incident yet. He is reportedly in contact with his family and relieved that they are safe. He is also grateful for the support and prayers he has received from his fans, teammates, coaches and friends.
Diaz is expected to return to Colombia soon to reunite with his parents and spend some time with them. He is also likely to miss some matches for Liverpool due to this personal situation. However, his club has expressed its full understanding and support for him during this difficult time.
The Motive behind Luis Diaz’s Parents’ kidnapping
The motive behind the kidnapping of Luis Diaz’s parents is still unclear. Some sources suggest that it was a random act of violence by criminal gangs that operate in La Guajira, a region that suffers from poverty, corruption and insecurity. Other sources speculate that it was an extortion attempt by kidnappers who wanted to demand a ransom from Luis or his club.
Whatever the motive was, it was a cowardly and cruel act that endangered the lives of innocent people and caused immense pain and anguish to their loved ones. It also exposed the serious problem of kidnapping in Colombia, which has been one of the most affected countries by this crime in the world.
According to a report by Fundacion Pais Libre, a non-governmental organization that works to prevent and combat kidnapping in Colombia, there were 88 cases of kidnapping in Colombia in 2022, a 12% increase from 2021. The report also states that most of the victims are civilians (79%), followed by public officials (12%) and members of security forces (9%). The main perpetrators are criminal gangs (62%), followed by guerrilla groups (25%) and common criminals (13%).
The report also highlights some of the factors that contribute to kidnapping in Colombia, such as:
- The presence of illegal armed groups that use kidnapping as a source of financing or political pressure.
- The lack of state presence and control in some regions that are affected by violence, poverty and social exclusion.
- The high demand for ransom payments from wealthy or famous people or their families.
- The low risk of punishment or prosecution for kidnappers due to impunity or corruption.
The report also makes some recommendations to prevent and reduce kidnapping in Colombia, such as:
- Strengthening the security forces and their coordination with other institutions to protect potential victims and pursue kidnappers.
- Improving the judicial system and the legal framework to ensure justice and accountability for kidnapping cases.
- Providing psychological and social support to victims and their families during and after the kidnapping ordeal.
- Raising awareness and education among the population about the risks and consequences of kidnapping and how to avoid or report it.
- Promoting a culture of peace and respect for human rights and dignity.
The kidnapping of Luis Diaz’s parents was a terrible event that shocked and saddened the world. It also revealed the harsh reality of kidnapping in Colombia, a crime that affects many people and families every year.
Fortunately, the authorities were able to rescue Luis Diaz’s parents and reunite them with their son. Hopefully, this will be the last time that Luis Diaz or any other person has to suffer from such a horrific experience.
