President Abelardo de la Espriella Announces Police Intervention Protocol for Public Universities

President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the creation of a national protocol that allows the Police to enter public universities to act against individuals promoting violent acts. During a speech on Sunday, September 13, the president stated that university autonomy is not a patent of impunity and does not stand above public order. Minister of Justice Iván Cancino supported the move, arguing that while university autonomy is a constitutional guarantee, it cannot be a barrier that prevents the state from fulfilling its duty of protection. He clarified that mediation and institutional tools should be prioritized during peaceful demonstrations.

Opposition figures from the Pacto Histórico, including Senator Iván Cepeda and former president Gustavo Petro, condemned the announcement. They argued that the move is a violation of Article 69 of the Constitution and claimed that opposing university autonomy is an opposition to free thought. Meanwhile, university leaders expressed concern over the potential for escalation. Ismael Peña, rector of the Universidad Nacional, and Jairo Torres, president of the Sistema Universitario Estatal, noted that past interventions by the public force have often been disproportionate and counterproductive.

Historical data cited by the Commission for the Clarification of Truth highlights the risks of such interventions. Between 1962 and 2011, 588 crimes against university communities were documented, including torture and forced disappearances. Óscar Domínguez González of the Colombian Association of Universities noted that violent acts on campus are frequently perpetrated by external actors rather than the university community itself.