The Colombian government accused the ELN guerrilla organization, with whom it is negotiating peace, on Thursday of kidnapping Liverpool winger Luis Diaz's parents in their hometown last weekend.

Diaz's mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued in Barrancas hours after the abduction, but his father, Luis Manuel Diaz, has been missing since.

PHOTO | COURTESY Luis Diaz

A government official said on X, formerly Twitter, that the crime "was perpetrated by an ELN unit," and that "we demand the ELN immediately free" the missing guy, who local media report is 56 years old.

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The ELN and the administration of Marxist President Gustavo Petro are engaged in peace talks and a six-month truce that went into effect in August.

The parents of Colombian and Liverpool midfielder Diaz were kidnapped Saturday at a gas station in their hometown of 38,000 people in the northern La Guajira province by armed men on motorcycles.

PHOTO | COURTESY people calling for the release of Luis Diaz's father

Marulanda was rescued hours later, and a large hunt for her husband began. Colombian authorities have stated that no ransom demand has been made.

The ELN or the National Liberation Army has not claimed the kidnapping.

PHOTO | COURTESY  people calling for the release of Luis Diaz's father

"We demand that the ELN immediately free Luis Manuel Diaz," stated a statement signed by Otty Patino, the chairman of the government delegation in peace talks with the ELN, on Thursday.

He went on to say that it was the ELN's "responsibility to guarantee his life and integrity."

Attorney General Francisco Barbosa has stated that the older Diaz "could be" in Venezuela but has not provided any further information.