On October 8, 2025, unidentified individuals attempted to occupy the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Faculty of Law, sparking a confrontation with students and staff.

A group unaffiliated with the university entered the faculty at 6:00 pm, chanting slogans and declaring a takeover by blocking access points and obstructing movement. Students confronted the intruders while staff requested university intervention. Within a few hours, UNAM security arrived and engaged in dialogue with the group, preventing violence and further escalation.

In a statement released on Facebook, the Faculty of Law condemned the incident and the intruders’ intent to perpetrate acts of violence against students, staff, and administrative personnel. This intrusion follows a pattern of destabilization at UNAM that has included strikes, bomb threats, and failed takeover attempts at the Faculty of Medicine.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the intimidation of university staff members and forced entry into a higher education institution by armed groups. 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, campus raids and intimidation of higher education members undermine academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://latinus.us/mexico/2025/10/8/encapuchados-intentan-ingresar-la-facultad-de-derecho-tras-tomar-la-preparatoria-de-la-unam-153887.html
https://www.milenio.com/policia/condena-facultad-derecho-violencia-grupos-ajenos-unam
https://www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2025/10/16/politica/grupos-ajenos-quieren-desestabilizar-a-la-unam-asegura-rector-lomeli
https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2025/10/09/facultad-de-derecho-de-la-unam-expresa-indignacion-ante-ataques-de-grupos-ajenos-en-sus-instalaciones/