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Hundreds of people took to the streets of Barrancas on Tuesday evening to demand the safe release of Luis Manuel Diaz, the father of Liverpool star Luis Diaz, after he and his wife were kidnapped on Saturday.
Diaz's parents were snatched off the streets of their hometown in La Guajira region in Colombia by four armed men on motorcycles whilst buying watermelons at a gas station.
Whilst Diaz's mother Cilenis Marulanda was freed later that night, Diaz Snr remains a hostage, with Colombia's police and military forces working together in a bid to bring him home safely.
Army comandos have been sent to guard the border and prevent Diaz's father from being taken into neighbouring Venezuela, but there is a chance that he may have already been transported through the dense jungle that separates the two nations.
The march was organised for Tuesday, with Diaz breaking his silence on social media to share the details of the gathering that would see demonstrators 'bring candles to light the light of hope' whilst urging Diaz Snr's captors to 'free him now'.
Luis Diaz's mother Cilenis Marulanda (centre) led a community march demanding the release of her husband, Luis Manuel Diaz, on Tuesday
Hundreds of members of the local community joined forces dressed in white holding balloons
Diaz's grandfather Alfonso was present at the sit-in and held a lighted candle in prayer after calling for his son's safe return
The player himself was not able to take part in the proceedings, having been advised against returning to his home country due to concerns over his personal security.
Reports in Colombia suggest that the Diaz family had been warned about potential threats ahead of the weekend's kidnapping.
Leading the marchers was Marulanda, one of many wearing a white t-shirt with her husband's face printed on it.
Those gathered carried white balloons and lighted candles as night fell. They also carried banners, emblazoned with pleas to his captors.
One read: 'The Campuzano family marches for the freedom of Mane (Luis Manuel Diaz)'.
Many on the march - if not wearing white - sported Diaz's jerseys from former clubs or the national team
Signs emblazoned with calls for Diaz Snr's safe release were displayed as the town of Barrancas rallied together
Also in attendance was Diaz's uncle Gabriel, wearing one of the many t-shirts displaying his father's face and calling for his freedom
Maulanda (left) was also kidnapped on Saturday but was released in the early hours of Sunday
Another rallied against 'kidnappings' whilst also demanding Diaz Snr's freedom.
Among the crowd were
