On November 15, 2024, unidentified individuals used tear gas against students at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) in an apparent attempt to shut down student elections.

At the time of the attack, the School Council, the Faculty Council, and the University Council were all holding student elections.

Students were standing in line waiting to vote when individuals threw at least 2 tear gas canisters towards the students. Students reported that the assailants also tried to steal ballot boxes located inside the schools of Humanities and History.

The attack forced the students to evacuate the building.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks on campus, apparently intended to disrupt open and critical discourse. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression, and university authorities must take reasonable measures to ensure safe conditions for living, learning, and expression for students. In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, such actions undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.instagram.com/diario_eltiempo/p/DCaLz9rJ-cQ/?img_index=1
https://efectococuyo.com/politica/deseo-cambio-resistencia-rechazo-violencia-lecciones-comicios-ucv/
https://www.instagram.com/elimpulso/p/DCcZnrqO_U_/