Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s mother appears for the first time since her kidnapping ordeal to lead hundreds on a march in Colombia demanding the safe release of his still-missing father

• Army and police forces have banded together in the hunt for Luis Manuel Diaz 
• Concerns are growing that Diaz’s father may have been taken into Venezuela 
• Diaz was unavailable for Liverpool but brother played in Colombia on Tuesday 

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Barrancas on Tuesday evening to demand the safe release of Luis Manuel Diaz, the father of Liverpool star Luis Diaz, after he and his wife were kidnapped on Saturday. 

Diaz’s parents were snatched off the streets of their hometown in La Guajira region in Colombia by four armed men on motorcycles whilst buying watermelons at a gas station. 

Whilst Diaz’s mother Cilenis Marulanda was freed later that night, Diaz Snr remains a hostage, with Colombia’s police and military forces working together in a bid to bring him home safely. 

Army comandos have been sent to guard the border and prevent Diaz’s father from being taken into neighbouring Venezuela, but there is a chance that he may have already been transported through the dense jungle that separates the two nations.  

The march was organised for Tuesday, with Diaz breaking his silence on social media to share the details of the gathering that would see demonstrators ‘bring candles to light the light of hope’ whilst urging Diaz Snr’s captors to ‘free him now’. 

Luis Diaz’s mother Cilenis Marulanda (centre) led a community march demanding the release of her husband, Luis Manuel Diaz, on Tuesday

Hundreds of members of the local community joined forces dressed in white holding balloons

Diaz’s grandfather Alfonso was present at the sit-in and held a lighted candle in prayer after calling for his son’s safe return

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The player himself was not able to take part in the proceedings, having been advised against returning to his home country due to concerns over his personal security. 

Reports in Colombia suggest that the Diaz family had been warned about potential threats ahead of the weekend’s kidnapping. 

Leading the marchers was Marulanda, one of many wearing a white t-shirt with her husband’s face printed on it. 

Those gathered carried white balloons and lighted candles as night fell. They also carried banners, emblazoned with pleas to his captors. 

One read: ‘The Campuzano family marches for the freedom of Mane (Luis Manuel Diaz)’. 

Many on the march – if not wearing white – sported Diaz’s jerseys from former clubs or the national team

Signs emblazoned with calls for Diaz Snr’s safe release were displayed as the town of Barrancas rallied together

Also in attendance was Diaz’s uncle Gabriel, wearing one of the many t-shirts displaying his father’s face and calling for his freedom

Maulanda (left) was also kidnapped on Saturday but was released in the early hours of Sunday

Another rallied against ‘kidnappings’ whilst also demanding Diaz Snr’s freedom. 

Among the crowd were Alfonso Diaz, the Liverpool star’s paternal grandfather, and his uncle, Gabriel, with the community later taking part in a sit-in at the end of the demonstration. 

A reward of 200 million Colombian pesos (£40,000) is being offered for information on the potential whereabouts of Diaz Snr, and search tactics by the Colombian army have been robust. 

As detailed in an update on the search, they have used ‘two motorised platoons, unmanned aircraft, checkpoints, helicopters, a plane with specialised radar, and more than 120’ as they continue their investigation. 

On Tuesday, Colombia’s Ombudsman Carlos Camargo Assis – whose office in the past has helped mediate with kidnappers to ensure the safe return of hostages – called on the armed group to make contact with the authorities. 

Diaz’s mother cut an anguished figure on the march as the hunt for her husband continued

As night fell, the crowd lighted candles as they stood in solidarity against the kidnapppings

Diaz was unable to attend the march himself due to concerns over his own personal safety

‘From the Ombudsman’s Office we reiterate the call to the captors of the father of our beloved soccer player “Lucho” Diaz to respect his integrity and life. We also ask you to contact our regional defender teams to find a route that allows for his prompt release, safe and sound,’ Assis said in a statement. 

‘Releasing (him) are the gestures of peace that all Colombians demand and hope for.’

Diaz did not feature in Liverpool’s Sunday match-up with Nottingham Forest on compassionate grounds, and has received sustained support from the side and their coaching staff. 

Assistant coach Pep Lijnders said that the club ‘really cared about’ the player and that ‘the whole club is behind him’. 

After the final whistle on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp shared that the preparations for the 3-0 victory were the most difficult of his career. 

A reward of around £40,000 has been offered for information about the kidnapping

Diaz has received a wellspring of international support as the police and army stay in the hunt 

Colombia’s national police director General William Salamanca joined the search on Monday

Unable to take part in Liverpool’s tie against Nottingham Forest, Diogo Jota dedicated his goal to his team-mate during their 3-0 victory 

‘The preparation was the most difficult I ever had in my life. Didn’t expect it, was not prepared for it. I don’t want to make the game bigger than it was but it was,’ Klopp said.

‘Most definitely we try to help Lucho with the fight we put in because obviously we want to help. We cannot really help so the only thing we can really do is fight for him and that’s what the boys did.’

His team-mate Diogo Jota dedicated his goal to Diaz by lifting his No 7 shirt aloft in celebration. 

Diaz wears the same number at his previous club Porto, with some members of the march turning up dressed in his jerseys. 

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