Colombia ELN guerrillas free kidnapped father of Liverpool soccer star Diaz

People attend a candlelight vigil demanding the release of the father of Liverpool F.C.'s forward Luis Diaz after he was kidnapped, in Barrancas, Colombia October 31, 2023. REUTERS/Yelver Florez/File Photo

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas on Thursday freed the father of Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz, after taking him hostage nearly two weeks ago, the government said.

The kidnapping of Luis Manuel Diaz has disrupted the government's peace talks with the ELN, which restarted last year in the hope of ending the group's part in Colombia's 60-year conflict, which has killed at least 450,000 people.