Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Liverpool striker Luis Diaz, emotionally recounts his nearly two-week-long ordeal as an ELN guerrilla hostage in Colombia’s mountains. Liberated after global appeals, Diaz, visibly moved, describes the exhaustion of excessive walking, surviving “almost 12 days without sleep.” His wife, briefly abducted with him, comforts him during a tearful statement. Despite no maltreatment, Diaz highlights the uniquely challenging situation. The ELN, part of peace talks, called the kidnapping a “mistake.” Diaz’s release, celebrated by neighbors, reflects hope for broader peace. The incident endangered high-stakes negotiations between the ELN and President Petro’s government. Colombia’s rights ombudsman urges an end to hostage practices for successful peace talks.