FOOTAGE showing the ELN ‘Scorpion’ camp where the fearsome guerilla group launched the mission to kidnap Luis Diaz’s dad, has emerged.
Despite promises by the ELN rebel group to release the Liverpool star’s dad, 58-year-old Luis Manuel Diaz remains at their hands in their jungle lair.
Footage shows the ELN camp dubbed “Scorpion” located near the border with Venezuela
The camp is the closest to the location where Luis Diaz’s dad was kidnapped
It’s believed to be where the Northern War Front’s leader is hiding
Colombia PoliceLuis Diaz’s father has been kept hostage since October 28[/caption]
The man was abducted alongside his wife from a petrol station at their home town of Barrancas, in the northern province of La Guajira. on October 28.
While Diaz’s mum Cilenis Marulanda was later released, his dad is thought to be held by the group near the border with Venezuela.
Video obtained by local outlet Semana, reveals the rebel group’s camp, located near the border, the closest near the location where Luis Manuel Diaz was abducted 11 days ago.
It has not revealed the exact co-ordinates of the camp to facilitate the release of the Liverpool star’s dad.
The camp is located in a mountainous, difficult-to-access area about five hours from the border area with Venezuela with only a few inhabited houses.
A local farmer told the outlet he heard the noise of motorbikes on the night of the kidnapping and is certain it was Diaz’s abductors.
“No one passes through here at that time unless it is an emergency and that day there were no emergencies, it was them,” he said.
According to state intelligence, the camp is where Antonio María Varela, also known as Poeta, the leader of the Northern War Front, would be hiding.
The outlet reports Diaz’s kidnapping was orchestrated from from Venezuela, in the state of Zulia from a camp known as Casa de Tabla, nearly four miles from the border.
It’s where female guerrilla fighter Patricia Nevada, the person in charge of the Northern War Front’s finances would be located.
Even though the military withdrew troops from the area around Perija Mountains according to ELN’s demands for “security guarantees,” “Mane” has still not been released.
“All the guarantees and conditions are being offered so Mr Diaz can recover his freedom in the next few hours,” Colombia’s Army said of the military manoeuvre.
On Tuesday, the government’s head negotiator with the guerilla group, Otty Patiño, confirmed the man should be freed soon but there is still no word on his release.
The delay has caused Diaz’s worried family to demand proof of life amid fears the rebel group is deliberately stalling.
The missing man’s brother Gabi admitted they are worried and has begged the ELN, to offer proof the 58-year-old is still alive.
He said: “What we would most like is to have that proof by seeing him and knowing what situation our brother, our relative, our papa, our son is in because my father is here and wants to see his son.”
Luis Alfonso Diaz, the footballer’s cousin, told Colombian state broadcaster RNC: “We are asking the ELN to send us proof of how Luis Manuel is now so we can have some peace of mind.”
It came as the UN also joined the calls to free the footballer’s kidnapped dad Luis Manuel Diaz.
Colombian authorities have offered a reward of $200,000,000 Peso (£40,600) for Diaz’s return.
It comes after the Liverpool star broke his silence with an emotional social media appeal.
The 26-year-old, referring to his father by his nickname “Mane” wrote on Instagram: “This is not Luis Diaz the player speaking.
“Today it is the son of Luis Manuel Diaz speaking.
“Mane, my dad, is a hard-working family man, the pillar of our family and he’s been kidnapped.
“I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organisations to work together for his freedom
“Every second, every minute, our anguish grows.
“My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, distressed and without words to describe what we are feeling.
“This suffering will only end when we have him back home.
“I beg you to release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait as soon as possible.
“In the name of love and compassion, we ask you to reconsider your actions and allow us to have him back.
“I thank Colombians and the international community for the support received, thank you for so many demonstrations of affection and solidarity in this difficult time that many families in my country find themselves experiencing.”
EPAForces were withdrawn from the Perija mountains following ELN’s demands[/caption]
ReutersThe Liverpool star has begged kidnappers to release his dad[/caption]
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