Current:Home > MarketsColombian police comb through cloud forest searching for soccer star’s abducted father -EliteFunds
Colombian police comb through cloud forest searching for soccer star’s abducted father
View
Date:2025-04-13 18:56:37
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Police air and land patrols searched a cloud forest in northern Colombia on Monday for soccer star Luis Díaz’s father, who was kidnapped over the weekend along with the player’s mother.
The couple were at a gas station in the small town of Barrancas on Saturday when they were abducted by armed men on motorcycles. Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued within hours by police that set up roadblocks around the town of 40,000 people, which is near Colombia’s border with Venezuela.
But his father, Luis Manuel Díaz, remained missing. On Monday, special forces searched a mountain range that straddles both countries and is covered by cloud forest. Police also offered a $48,0000 reward for information leading to Diaz’s father.
Officials said they did not rule out the possibility that the elder Díaz could have been smuggled into Venezuela, where he would be beyond the reach of Colombian police.
Díaz is one of the most talented players on Colombia’s national team and currently plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League, which he joined last year in a deal worth $67 million.
The 26-year-old striker was absent from Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Díaz’s teammates expressed their solidarity with the Colombian by holding up one of his jerseys on the pitch after scoring the team’s first goal in their 3-0 victory.
The abduction of Díaz’s parents comes as kidnappings for ransom and extortion of businesses increase in Colombia despite efforts by the nation’s first left-wing government to broker ceasefires with rebel groups. Criminals and rebel groups in the country have long kidnapped civilians for ransom in order to finance their operations.
So far, none of the armed groups operating in Colombia has claimed responsibility for kidnapping Diaz’s parents.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- As UAW, Detroit 3 fight over wages, here's a look at autoworker pay, CEO compensation
- Man thought he was being scammed after winning $4 million from Michigan Lottery scratch-off game
- 1 killed, multiple people hurt as bus carrying children crashes on New York highway
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- As Ozempic use grows, so do reports of possible mental health side effects
- Free COVID test kits are coming back. Here's how to get them.
- Wisconsin DNR defends lack of population goal in wolf management plan
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Billy Miller, The Young and the Restless actor, dies at 43
Ranking
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Can you take too many vitamins? Here's what the experts want you to know.
- Simone Biles makes World Championships in gymnastics for sixth time, setting a record
- Banned New Zealand Olympic runner arrested in Kenya over sexual assault and weapon allegations
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Frank James' lawyers ask for 18-year sentence in Brooklyn subway shooting
- A Swedish prosecutor says a 13-year-old who was shot in the head, is a victim of a bloody gang feud
- Judge temporarily blocks Republican-backed overhaul of Ohio’s education system following lawsuit
Recommendation
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Tests show drinking water is safe at a Minnesota prison, despite inmate concerns
Brazil’s firefighters battle wildfires raging during rare late-winter heat wave
Sophie Turner Sues Joe Jonas to Return Their 2 Kids to England
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
3-year-old dies while crossing Rio Grande
Tim McGraw's Birthday Tribute to Best Friend Faith Hill Will Warm Your Heart
Appeals court takes up transgender health coverage case likely headed to Supreme Court