On August 4, 2022, a student protest turned violent as groups of hooded individuals clashed with riot police.

The protest began as a demonstration by students; however, early in the afternoon, hooded individuals arrived at the protest and began launching homemade explosives at police, while police returned fire with teargas and water jets. Available reporting does not indicate the identity of the hooded individuals or the basis of their involvement in the protest.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violence during the course of a student protest. While demonstrators have the right to freedom of expression and assembly, that does not include acts of violence; likewise, state authorities must take available measures to ensure that any responses to violent or destructive acts are proportionate and minimize harm to those present. Violence during the course of a student protest undermines academic freedom and university autonomy, and harms democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.kienyke.com/bogota/disturbios-en-bogota-enfrentamientos-entre-estudiantes-y-el-esmad
https://www.rcnradio.com/bogota/enfrentamientos-en-universidad-distrital-bloquean-avenida-circunvalar
https://newssplinter.com/colombiaeng/todays-protests-in-bogota-university-of-the-district-masked-men-block-roads/