National Prosecutor Ángel Valencia has labeled the possibility that the Austral University of Chile (UACH) blocked Carabineros from entering campus during the protests—which culminated in an assault on Minister of Science Ximena Aguilera—as "unreasonable."
The government official was held inside the university grounds for over three hours this Wednesday after attending the academic year's opening ceremony. Protesters demonstrating against her presence and government policies eventually attacked the minister as she attempted to leave. The government has since filed a criminal complaint for assault on an authority figure.
The limits of university autonomy
Police sources suggested that Carabineros officers were instructed not to enter the campus to facilitate the minister's departure. In response, Valencia emphasized during an interview on Radio Duna that the police force does not require authorization to intervene when there is clear evidence that a crime is being committed.
"Imagine if someone were firing a gun from inside a university classroom, and we had to wait to find a legal representative or a senior official to ask for permission to enter. I don't think anyone would consider that reasonable," the National Prosecutor stated. Valencia clarified that, unlike diplomatic missions, universities do not enjoy a "special regime" that limits the actions of security forces.
The Public Prosecutor's Office, led by Los Ríos Regional Prosecutor Tatiana Esquivel, is currently investigating the incident. Valencia noted that the legal classification of the events—whether it constitutes an attack, unlawful restraint, kidnapping, or assault—will be determined once all the facts have been fully established.
The university has denied allegations that it blocked law enforcement from entering. Regarding this, the National Prosecutor stated that the criminal investigation will clarify what actually occurred and whether university authorities bear any administrative or other forms of responsibility for the incident.
