On March 27, 2025, a group of unidentified hooded individuals, reportedly students, clashed with police officers from the Unit for Dialogue and Maintenance of Order in front of the National Pedagogical University.

Videos show hooded individuals throwing homemade explosive devices at police near the university gates while riot gear clad police use tear gas and water cannons against the protesters. Media reports suggested that the demonstrators were demanding increased investment into the education sector and improvements in university infrastructure.

Scholars at Risk are concerned about violent and destructive attacks on campus. While students have the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, including the right to protest content and events with which they disagree, they must exercise those rights responsibly and refrain from violence, especially on campus. While state authorities have a responsibility to maintain security and order, they also have an obligation to ensure that their actions are proportionate, do not harm members of the higher education community. 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://citytv.eltiempo.com/noticias/movilidad/caos-en-chapinero-disturbios-en-la-pedagogica-paralizan-la-movilidad_79697
https://www.alertabogota.com/noticias/local/universitarios-se-salieron-de-los-chiros-ponen-sufrir-conductores
https://www.pulzo.com/nacion/bogota/disturbios-u-pedagogica-obliga-cambio-rutas-transmilenio-sitp-PP4411227
https://x.com/UltimaHoraCR/status/1905350785749180731
https://x.com/bogotaampm/status/1905388691742208452