On September 24, 2025, unidentified individuals detonated homemade explosives outside the University of Valle, causing administrative staff, faculty, and students to evacuate.

Videos posted to social media show hooded individuals setting off potato bombs on university premises, causing chaos and fear around the university community. Local police shut down public transportation and closed nearby roads.

The incident follows a wave of disturbances around campus and the city of Cali in the preceding months, leading to frustration within the university community regarding the lack of a concrete response from state authorities (see related report).

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent and destructive attacks on campus. 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. State authorities should take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of scholars, students, and staff, including by investigating and holding perpetrators of such acts responsible, in line with international human rights standards. In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, such actions undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2025/09/25/otra-jornada-de-disturbios-con-explosivos-por-parte-de-manifestantes-obligo-a-evacuar-la-universidad-del-valle-en-cali/
https://occidente.co/cali/protestas-en-univalle/