SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project investigates and reports attacks on higher education with the aim of raising awareness, generating advocacy, and increasing protection for scholars, students, and academic communities. Starting July 1, 2026, SAR no longer publishes reports for the incidents that it records. SAR continues to monitor and record incidents that will be used in the annual Free to Think report. This page provides a record of incidents reported up to that date. Learn more about the Academic Freedom Monitoring Project.

Date of Incident: February 24, 2026

Attack Types: Other

Institution(s):Universidad del Cauca

Region & Country:Americas | Colombia

New or Ongoing:New Incident

On February 24, 2026, masked individuals forcibly entered administrative offices at the Universidad del Cauca, disrupting academic activity.

A peaceful protest against increased student fees had begun in front of the Rector’s office earlier that morning. In the afternoon, the protest escalated and a small group of masked intruders forcibly entered university facilities and damaged walls, furniture, and other university property.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the destruction of campus property and infrastructure in the course of a protest. Such acts erode the right to education, and diminish everyone’s access to a safe, free and open university space. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus. State and campus authorities should take all reasonable measures to prevent and respond to such incidents, including ensuring campus security and conducting prompt and thorough investigations, as appropriate.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.radionacional.co/noticias-colombia/disturbios-en-la-universidad-del-cauca-tras-protesta-estudiantil
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVKN5vkDgAN/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVL1cvqlxbI/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVKML9sEQnq/