See the Female guerrilla fighter known only as Patricia orchestrated the kidnap of Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s dad, it was claimed today. 

See the Female guerrilla fighter known only as Patricia orchestrated the kidnap of Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s dad, it was claimed today.

Colombian newspapers are reporting the ELN’s so-called Northern War Front, led by the 40-year-old who uses the alias Patricia, carried out Saturday’s kidnapping of Luis Manuel Diaz.

The veteran insurgent is said to have spent more than half her life at war with the Colombian government.

She has been identified as the leader of one of the regional units of the left-wing rebel group which has now admitted responsibility for the abduction after being blamed by officials yesterday.

A senior Northern War Front member known only as Mateo is said to be holding the 58-year-old hostage with foot soldiers under Patricia’s orders.

The ELN, branded a terrorist organisation by the US government and the EU, has claimed it wasn’t aware one of its factions was behind the crime and promised late yesterday Luis’s dad would be released within hours.

Luis Diaz’s dad ‘snatched by notorious guerrillas known for kidnap & massacres’

But despite social media speculation a release has already occurred, there has been no official confirmation and critics are branding the ELN claim as “scarcely credible”.

A quick release might be an option as the Northern War Front currently have a representative at peace talks between the ELN and the government.

During his negotiations with ELN, Bernardo Tellez said the insurgents have no real desire to free Luis Diaz’s father unless they get paid lots of money to do so.

A release could also be on the table if the group’s leaders lose control over their regional units – either due to ELN infighting or if the Colombian government succeeds in ceasefire negotiations with the group.