The Rector of the Universidad Austral de Chile, Egon Montecinos, has announced an investigation into students following an attack on Science Minister Ximena Lincolao at the university's Valdivia campus on Wednesday.
Protesters targeted the minister during an event at the Aula Magna intended to inaugurate the academic year. Following the ceremony, demonstrators insulted Lincolao and sprayed her with a liquid.
Montecinos expressed deep distress over the incident, stating he feels "much anger and shame for what happened." He added that the minister's visit was "tarnished by an irrational aggression that is not part of the history of the Universidad Austral de Chile."
Disciplinary action pending
The university administration is reviewing the university's code of duties and rights to determine sanctions. Penalties for involved students could range from formal warnings and suspensions to permanent expulsion.
"We are going to apply the university's regulation of duties and rights and we will collaborate with the Prosecutor's Office investigation," Montecinos said. He noted that the investigation begins this Thursday.
Montecinos also addressed claims made by the Student Center, which blamed government policies for the attack. The rector rejected any justification for the violence, stating that democracy provides specific channels for expressing differences.
"I do not share the students' statement. No one deserves this at any moment in our political history," Montecinos said. "I cannot be on the side of the justification of this act."
The rector also clarified that university security was present but noted he does not have the authority to deploy police escorts for ministers. He denied rumors that he blocked the entry of Carabineros (national police) during the unrest.
"I deny that I refused the entry of Carabineros. No one called me. Neither the general nor anyone from Carabineros," Montecinos stated. He emphasized that the university sought to resolve the situation through academic dialogue.
The Chilean government has announced it will file a lawsuit against those responsible for the incident.
