Students of the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia (UPTC) were repressed by security forces on Monday with tear gas and stun grenades during a peaceful sit-in rejecting President Abelardo de la Espriella’s visit to Tunja, capital of Boyacá, with demonstrators denouncing excessive use of force, unjustified aggressions and arbitrary detentions, according to eyewitness videos and statements from lawmakers.
The Mobile Anti-Riot Squadron (Esmad) dispersed the gathering, which included students, social organizations, teachers and other workers protesting the government’s far-right policies and announced cuts to social programs, education, the SENA and the agricultural sector. Videos showed a young man being beaten on the ground and handcuffed by several officers.
RELATED: Colombia Issues Urgent Alert on Southern Bolivar Violence
Representative José Luis Bohórquez condemned the repression, saying protesting is not a crime and that they would not allow students to be tear-gassed and injured merely for expressing disagreement with the government. On that line, Senator Esmeralda Hernández said the government responds to dissent with violence, noting that the order was to disperse the demonstration with tear gas and stun bombs, and that in just 90 days the people are already expressing rejection.
Senator John Amaya questioned whether a student should be beaten and handcuffed for exercising the right to protest, affirmed that UPTC students have full constitutional backing, rejected any disproportionate use of force and demanded that UNADI explain what happened, declaring that Boyacá is a land of freedom and democracy and that protest is a right, not a crime.
¿Un estudiante golpeado y esposado por ejercer su derecho a la protesta?
Los estudiantes de la Uptc tienen pleno respaldo constitucional para expresar sus ideas y manifestarse pacíficamente. Rechazo cualquier uso desproporcionado de la fuerza y hago un llamado categórico a la… pic.twitter.com/F7DmtDSwtH
— John Amaya (@JohnAmayaR) November 9, 2026
The events took place at the Convention Center of the Tunja Chamber of Commerce, where the president was meeting with Boyacá Governor Carlos Amaya, his cabinet and the mayors of the 123 municipalities.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.