On February 26, 2026, unidentified individuals detonated homemade explosives outside the University of Valle, injuring staff members and damaging university property.

Hooded individuals disrupted activities marking the anniversary of a 1971 student protest movement by detonating a “potato bomb.” The blast injured the Vice-Rector of University Welfare and several nearby employees. All victims were evacuated for medical attention.

A few hours later, as cleanup efforts began on the Avenida Pasoancho, a vehicle ran over a second homemade explosive. Several security personnel were injured by shrapnel.

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:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/cali/autoridades-buscan-a-encapuchados-que-adentro-de-univalle-lanzaron-papa-bomba-onda-explosiva-alcanzo-a-una-vicerrectora-esto-fue-lo-que-paso-3536121
https://estrelladigital.com.co/nacional/encapuchados-univalle-papa-bomba-vicerrectora/