The kidnapper of Luis Díaz's father is sentenced for more than 4 years

A Colombian court sentenced Yerdinson Bolívar, alias “Arenca,” to four years and eight months in prison after admitting his role in the kidnapping of Luis Manuel Díaz, father of soccer player Luis Díaz, star of Liverpool and the Colombian national team.

The Prosecutor’s Office reported that the sentence must be served in a penitentiary center, in a decision that also includes a fine of approximately $82,000 and a ban from holding public office for 56 months.

The kidnapping, carried out by the National Liberation Army (ELN) in October 2023, generated great outrage in Colombia and the international community.

Luis Manuel Díaz and his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, were intercepted by armed men in Barrancas, La Guajira.

While Marulanda was released the same day, Díaz was held for 12 days until a UN-led humanitarian mission and the Catholic Church facilitated their liberation in the foothills of the Perijá mountain range.

Luis Díaz had to continue playing for Liverpool while his father was kidnapped by the Colombian guerrilla. He even scored a goal to give his team the victory.

The investigations revealed that Bolívar, who worked as a coach at Díaz’s soccer academy, provided information to the ELN guerrilladetailing the family’s routines and movements.

at the hearing“Arenca” offered public apologies to Díaz’s family, pledging not to repeat criminal actions.. His collaboration with the justice system was key to determining the circumstances of the kidnapping.

The case has been considered a milestone in the La Guajira region, where violence and kidnappings have been recurring problems.

This sentence, in addition to the preventive measures taken, sends a clear message about the consequences of involvement in kidnapping activities.

For the family of Luis Díaz, the sentence represents the beginning of a recovery process from a traumatic experience that crossed borders, affecting the close environment of the prominent soccer player and his followers.

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