Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado confirmed that the government has identified the three student leaders responsible for the assault on Minister of Science Ximena Lincolao during the academic year opening ceremony at the Austral University of Chile (UACh). The administration plans to file a criminal complaint to pursue legal sanctions following the incident, which involved verbal abuse and water being thrown at the minister as she left the venue.
In an interview with Radio Duna, Alvarado noted that those involved have a history of active participation in campus protests. "I was informed this morning that the three leaders who played the most significant roles have already been identified," said the minister, who described the events as "unacceptable."
Criticism of University Security Management
The Interior Minister harshly criticized UACh authorities for failing to implement preventive measures during the minister’s visit. According to the minister, the university failed to guarantee basic security conditions despite clear signs that protests were likely to occur on campus.
"When you invite someone into your home, you obviously have to provide the guarantees to ensure they feel comfortable," Alvarado stated. He added that given the predictably hostile environment, the institution should have implemented security protocols that were ultimately neglected.
Government spokesperson Mara Sedini reported that Minister Lincolao is resting following the incident, which she described as a moment of high tension. Meanwhile, UACh has launched an internal disciplinary process separate from the judicial investigation.
University Rector Egon Montecinos explained to Radio Biobío that the institution is conducting an investigation parallel to the one being led by the Public Prosecutor's Office. This internal process is governed by the student code of conduct, with potential sanctions ranging from formal warnings to permanent expulsion.
Montecinos assured that the university is providing all available evidence, including video footage, to assist the Public Prosecutor's Office in clarifying the facts. "There are two investigations underway: the one being conducted by the Prosecutor's Office and the one we have initiated ourselves," the rector concluded.
