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Colombia's President Opens Door to Police on Campuses
(MENAFN) Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced Sunday that police will be authorized to enter university campuses when incidents of violence, vandalism or terrorism occur, escalating tensions over the limits of institutional autonomy.
"University autonomy is not above public order," De la Espriella said in a public address.
The president unveiled a new national protocol designed to distinguish peaceful protests from acts involving violence, vandalism, criminal offenses or serious threats to public order. He stressed the measure would continue to respect demonstrations conducted within constitutional and legal bounds, while empowering security forces to step in when serious crimes or threats emerge on university grounds.
"University autonomy does not mean autonomy in matters of public order, nor does it turn campuses into territories outside the Constitution, the law or the legitimate authority of the state," he said.
De la Espriella said authorities would respond directly to attacks on police or civilians, the destruction of infrastructure, and other violent acts carried out on campus grounds.
The announcement has reignited a long-running debate in Colombia over the boundaries of university autonomy and the state's authority to intervene during campus protests. Under Colombia's Constitution, university autonomy grants higher education institutions independence in academic and administrative affairs — a protection critics have long argued could be undermined by police operations on campus. The government, however, maintains that such autonomy cannot shield criminal activity or serious threats to public safety from state response.
The move aligns with De la Espriella's broader security agenda, which has placed public order and the fight against violence at the center of his administration's priorities. The president has also pushed for tougher action against groups and individuals responsible for attacks on security forces and public infrastructure.
The policy is expected to deepen national debate over how Colombia balances the right to protest, university autonomy, and the state's duty to maintain public order.
"University autonomy is not above public order," De la Espriella said in a public address.
The president unveiled a new national protocol designed to distinguish peaceful protests from acts involving violence, vandalism, criminal offenses or serious threats to public order. He stressed the measure would continue to respect demonstrations conducted within constitutional and legal bounds, while empowering security forces to step in when serious crimes or threats emerge on university grounds.
"University autonomy does not mean autonomy in matters of public order, nor does it turn campuses into territories outside the Constitution, the law or the legitimate authority of the state," he said.
De la Espriella said authorities would respond directly to attacks on police or civilians, the destruction of infrastructure, and other violent acts carried out on campus grounds.
The announcement has reignited a long-running debate in Colombia over the boundaries of university autonomy and the state's authority to intervene during campus protests. Under Colombia's Constitution, university autonomy grants higher education institutions independence in academic and administrative affairs — a protection critics have long argued could be undermined by police operations on campus. The government, however, maintains that such autonomy cannot shield criminal activity or serious threats to public safety from state response.
The move aligns with De la Espriella's broader security agenda, which has placed public order and the fight against violence at the center of his administration's priorities. The president has also pushed for tougher action against groups and individuals responsible for attacks on security forces and public infrastructure.
The policy is expected to deepen national debate over how Colombia balances the right to protest, university autonomy, and the state's duty to maintain public order.
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