Kidnapped former Ecuador international star Pedro Perlaza RELEASED as police confirm he was ‘mistreated but alive’
AN Ecuadorian footballer who was kidnapped close to the Colombian border has been released.
Pedro Perlaza was abducted in the province of Esmeraldas in his native country.
Perlaza's family reported him missing on Monday evening, with the alleged abduction taking place at 9am that day.
But it has now been confirmed by local authorities that he has been released along with another individual.
Police posted on X: "Through its specialised units, it freed citizens Pedro P. and Juan M. in #Esmeraldas [northwest], who were involuntarily missing."
Colonel Diego Velastegui, police chief of the oil port of Esmeralda, said: "They have been mistreated, but they are alive."
Velastegui went on to reveal the rescue operation saw the police "greeted with bullets by these criminals when they entered the area".
He also stated the kidnappers left the scene and are "presumed injured".
Perlaza and the other victim were reunited with their families at the police headquarters in Esmeraldas.
They were barefoot and wearing caps given to them by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ecuadorian Police.
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It is alleged Perlaza, 33, was intercepted by a motorcyclist while travelling on a road and forced into a vehicle.
He has spent his entire football career playing in Ecuador and has won three caps for the national team.
He now plays for Ecuadorian top flight side Delfin.