Three students stabbed at National University of Bogotá by hooded assailants
Three students were stabbed by hooded assailants on the campus of the National University in Bogotá. The rector described the incidents as "clear evidence of an attempted murder".
Knife attack on the National University of Bogotá campus
According to caracol.com.co, on the evening of Wednesday 29 July, three students at the National University were stabbed by hooded assailants within the campus facilities in Bogotá. Rector José Ismael Peña spoke to the programme 6AM W and described the incidents as "clear evidence of an attempted murder".
"It is a very painful and difficult moment for the academic community. We are at a moment and in a continuation of a long process of threats and death; of threats to female and male professors," said Peña. The rector rejected any form of violence and noted that institutional protocols were immediately activated to provide care for the three injured students.
"We have full confidence in them (the authorities) and we hope for swift judicial action and arrests as warranted," added the rector.
Account from the injured student representative
Kevin Arriguí, student representative for the Bogotá campus and one of the three assault victims, described what happened on the same programme, hosted by Julio Sánchez Cristo. According to his account, the group decided to remove banners from the SINTRAUNAL union as a peaceful protest. "When we were removing them, the president of SINTRAUNAL in Bogotá, Mr Diego Flores, approached along with another 20-30 people and that is when what you see in the video happens," Arriguí recounted.
In the video circulating on social media, Kevin receives eight stab wounds, kicks and is knocked to the ground by four hooded assailants who continue attacking him.
The union's version and cross-accusations
In a statement posted on social media and student groups, SINTRAUNAL presented a different version: "A group of people with covered faces sabotaged SINTRAUNAL propaganda and left messages on walls and floors of the campus, with defamations and stigmatising expressions against the organisation". The union stated that among those present was Arriguí, of whom it indicated that "he was carrying a sharp cutting weapon with which he wounded the student who removed his hood and identified him".
In response to these allegations, Arriguí admitted that he and his companions were carrying scissors and knives, but explained that the only purpose was to cut the wires with which the union had fastened the banners. "We cannot cut with our hands. We were not using these to attack any fellow student. None of their fellow students was injured," he clarified.
Polarisation surrounding the constituent assembly and university autonomy
The student representative attributed the climate of tension to the political discussion surrounding the proposed constituent assembly. "Especially with this matter of the constituent assembly, because in one way or another the national government has tried to violate university autonomy and has sought to impose a policy," Arriguí stated.
Numerous students have expressed rejection of the position taken by university unions on that debate. The authorities are investigating the incidents; Rector Peña anticipated that they expect arrests to be made in the coming days.
Source: Google News CO — Bogotá