The administration of Walter Mazariegos, rector of the USAC, would have canceled the registration of about 40 students, administrative sanction that is not clear but that the university opposition attributes to retaliation for being against the continuity of the rector.
This July 1, Mazariegos began a new four-year period as rector, after he won a voting process in which he prevented the participation of the competition due to administrative and legal processes, which for various sectors translate into electoral fraud.
The opposition group USAC, Dignidad y Resistencia (USAC-DIRE), joined this weekend in rejecting Mazariegos’ new measures against the opposition, which would mean leaving a group of students without studies.
Given this scenario, the USAC has not issued a position or clarification on the issue.
“I am suffering political persecution by the academic authorities of the USAC,” Jennifer de la Cruz, a student who could not enroll in the tenth semester of her law degree, explained in a video broadcast on social networks.
“On July 15 were the assignments at the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences, when I wanted to assign myself to the semester I was not allowed, because it says that I am not enrolled in the university,” said the young woman.
#Urgent | Jennifer de la Cruz (@jennteinforma), explains that when trying to enroll in his tenth semester, his academic record is deleted from USAC. He adds that several students have been deleted from the system, which was done without process. pic.twitter.com/TKvcw2w5mN
— El Sancarlista (@elsancarlistagt) July 17, 2026
Despite having a physical document that proves his registration for 2026, the USAC informed him that they could not find his credentials. “They have the clear intention of violating a constitutional right, which is the right to higher education,” said the affected person.
Abuse and impunity
Lawyer Edwin Orozco, member of USAC-DIRE, explained that as a first measure they are contacting the affected students, to be certain of the number of people sanctioned.
The opposition lawyers will provide legal service to students who consider it, to find a way to reverse what they describe as an arbitrary and illegal act.
“We strongly condemn the actions that Walter Mazariegos and his allies have undertaken against the students. What is happening today is a consequence of the fact that magistrates have chosen to protect arbitrariness,” said Orozco.
Some CSU members consulted, on condition of anonymity, said that no sanctions such as suspension of enrollment have been issued recently, but they could come from previous processes that have just been executed.
Orozco assures that the act conflicts with the laws and the rights of students. “The judicial resolutions have given impunity to Walter Mazariegos, and that impunity is what has led to illegal and arbitrary acts within the USAC.”
Complaint to the MP and PDH
Deputy José Chic, from the Voluntad Oportunidad y Solidaridad (VOS) bloc, reported that he has already filed a complaint with the Public Ministry (MP) waiting for the facts to be investigated.
“I filed a complaint against the head of the Department of Registration and Statistics, a complaint was also filed with the Human Rights Ombudsman,” said Chic.
The head of Registration and Statistics of the USAC is Bryan Fuentes Paz, who was denounced for suppression, concealment or destruction of documents; destruction of computer records; and abuse of authority, explained the deputy.
Due to the complaint filed with the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office (PDH), according to the deputy, the institution is reaching out to the victims. Among those affected are students of law, economic sciences, political sciences, communication sciences, among others.
Binomial postures
On the side of the Executive Body, the one who did speak out was Vice President Karin Herrera, who highlighted that USAC is the only public university that many have to access higher education.
“There are such fundamental rights in a democracy that must be guaranteed for everyone, including youth. All university students have the right to complete their academic studies, without any distinction. And above all, in a public institution with 5% financing from the General Budget of the Nation,” published the vice president.
He also questioned the role that the current administration has given to university autonomy. “Autonomy is not synonymous with violating fundamental rights of people who think differently. Autonomy is guaranteeing that education reaches everyone, without obstacles.”
Behind every young person who enters the University with the desire to have an academic career there is a lot of effort, families accompanying them, goals and dreams that should not be truncated.
There are such fundamental rights in a democracy that they must be guaranteed for everyone, including…
— Karin Herrera (@KarinHerreraVP) July 18, 2026
The USAC does not have a press liaison communicator, its positions are usually obtained through the university’s official social networks, but as of the afternoon of July 18, there is no statement or video that explains what happened to the students who cannot enroll.