Hundreds of people turned up to march as a show of support to Luis Diaz and his family as authorities in Colombia continue the search for the Liverpool star's father.
Luis Manuel Diaz and his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, were both kidnapped at a petrol station in Barrancas on Saturday after being confronted by armed men. Marulanda was released on the same day, but the whereabouts of Diaz Sr remain unknown.
Residents in Diaz's hometown of Barrancas turned up in their hundreds to march and show support for the Premier League star and his family on Tuesday. And the masses displayed solidarity after turning out almost entirely in white in an attempt to encourage Diaz Sr's kidnappers to release their captive.
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The national police in Colombia has mobilised ground and air units in an attempt to locate Diaz Sr. A £39,000 reward has also been offered for information that might lead to his recovery.
It's understood authorities are focusing their search around the desert region of La Guajira, which is reportedly popular with militia and other armed groups for "smuggling contraband and cocaine". The area is also located close to Venezuela, where it's feared Diaz Sr may have been smuggled.
Diaz, 26, previously shared details for Tuesday's vigil to his 4.5million Instagram followers in an attempt to boost support for the cause. And it appeared to do the trick as huge numbers waved white flags and balloons, hoping the display will reach the culprits and change their minds.
The Guardian reported on Tuesday that Colombian police have identified two of the four men involved in Diaz Sr's kidnapping. However, it's understood the abductors are yet to make any kind of ransom demands or communicate with the authorities in any way.
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“We do not have any evidence at the moment that [Diaz Sr] has crossed the border [into Venezuela, we cannot affirm it, but we cannot rule it out either,” said General Alejandro Zapata at a press conference on Monday. “It is very possible that they will look for the possibility of escaping there.”
Winger Diaz – who has scored nine goals in 43 appearances for Colombia – was left out of the Liverpool team that defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Sunday. Reds assistant Pep Lijnders said the club is "trying to support Diaz as much as they can", with the player set to remain in England amid fears his return to Colombia could be a security concern.
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