On March 26, 2026, Chilean police deployed water cannons against students in Santiago protesting new educational policies that would reduce tuition-free access to university.

The demonstrators marched against austerity measures introduced by the administration of President José Antonio Kast, including a 3% budget cut to education and a proposal to limit free tuition to students under the age of 30. Students argued these new restrictions and tightened controls over student loans represented a significant rollback of educational rights. Clashes erupted during the march as some students threw stones and police moved to disperse the crowds with water cannons. The government ultimately abandoned the plan of  limiting tuition-free access.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/3/26/police-fire-water-cannons-at-chile-student-protest
https://www.ntd.com/chilean-police-break-up-student-protests-over-education-cuts_1135075.html
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/fears-free-tuition-crackdown-chile-moves-exempt-over-30s
https://www.indopremier.com/ipotnews/newsDetail.php?jdl=Chile_students_protest_far_right_president_s_education_cuts&news_id=1724595&group_news=ALLNEWS&news_date=&taging_subtype=CHILE&name=&search=y_general&q=CHILE, &halaman=1