BOGOTA, Nov 10 (Reuters) – The father of Liverpool footballer Luis Diaz said on Friday he would continue to live in Colombia after nearly two weeks of guerrilla captivity marked by sleepless nights and grueling days riding through the mountains.
The left-wing National Liberation Army (ELN) freed 58-year-old Luis Manuel Diaz on Thursday, 12 days after he was taken hostage on October 28 in Barrancas, the municipality where he lives in La Guajira province.
Diazand’s capture sparked criticism of peace talks between the ELN and the government of leftist President Gustavo Petro, who are trying to end Colombia’s six-decade civil conflict that has killed more than 450,000 people. The government and ELN began a six-month ceasefire in August.
andquot;My hope is to continue in my city, because all my family is in my city andquot; Diaz said in a press conference.
Advertisement 路 Scroll to continue
andquot;The government gave me impressively strong and great support. I trust and believe that it gives me the confidence to be in Barrancas.andquot;
Analysts and security sources say the kidnapping highlighted the lack of control the ELN’s top brass exercises over its ranks.
On Friday, Diaz offered details about the confinement, during which his captors advised him to remain calm, he said. Advertisement 路 Scroll to continue
andquot;A lot of pretty hard riding, a lot of hills, rain,andquot; Diaz said, recalling andquot;almost 12 days without sleep.andquot;
andquot;Although the treatment was good, I did not feel very comfortable,andquot; he said.
ELN, which has 5,800 members, including about 2,800 fighters, is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
In addition to drug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion, the rebel group is also accused of financing itself through kidnappings.
Advertisement 路 Scroll to continue
The group’s top commander, Antonio Garcia, said Friday on social media that the peace talks will not prohibit kidnapping as a means of financing.
Advertisement 路 Scroll to continue
Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta Editing by Alistair Bell
Our Standard: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. read on
Marketing class
US cuts beef exports as cattle herd shrinks, squeezing Tyson Foods
19:49 GMT+1
An employee cuts fresh beef into large pieces
Water supply category
The shrinking Lake Titicaca in South America and the Andes are ringing the climate alarm bell
17:20 GMT+1
Lake Titicaca is shrinking on Cojata Island amid extreme drought
american class
As the crisis deepened, Cubans tried to move by any means possible
9 November 2023
Cubans want to travel abroad to escape the financial crisis in Havana
american class
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau condemns violence after shootings at Jewish schools
8.05 GMT+1
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a press conference on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York
LSEG workspace
Newsletter|Every weekday.
Reuters Daily Review
Today’s best news in your inbox. We cover the world from the front line to the boardroom. (This includes Reuters’ weekend coverage.)
More from Reuters
world
The Palestinians asked the war crimes court to investigate Israel’s accusation of genocide
Middle East Class 路 November 10, 2023 路 16:36 GMT+1
Three Palestinian human rights groups said they had asked the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel, accusing it of war crimes, including genocide by bombing and the siege of the Gaza Strip.
Indian class
India is proposing a new law that would require broadcasters, streaming giants, to certify themselves
18:51 GMT+1
UK class
British Prime Minister Sunak must fire the Home Secretary for criticizing the police
14:13 GMT+1
UK class
Prince Harry and Elton John may sue the publisher of the Daily Mail
19:48 GMT+1
Middle Eastern class
Palestinians flee Al Shifa hospital after deadly strike
the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the largest provider of multimedia news in the world, reaching billions of people around the world every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news for professionals at desktop terminals, world and media organizations, industry events and direct to consumers.
Build the best solution with authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise and leading technology.
The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs.
The industry’s leading online information provider for tax, accounting and finance professionals.
Access unparalleled financial data, news and content with a highly customized workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. Data folder opens a new tab
Browse unprecedented real-time and historical market data and insights from global sources and experts.
Scan high-risk people and communities around the world to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks.
All bids were delayed for at least 15 minutes. See the full list of changes and delays here.
漏 2023 Reuters. All rights reserved
Leave a Reply