President Bernardo Arévalo announced this Monday, July 6, that the Government will verify the legality of the weapons used by the security system of the University of San Carlos (Usac), after the incidents recorded during the inauguration of Walter Mazariegos as rector. In addition, he defended the actions of the National Civil Police (PNC) and affirmed that it complied with the resolution of the Constitutional Court (CC).
The measure comes after protesters reported that shots were fired from inside the university campus during the confrontations that occurred at the entrances to the university campus.
Arévalo indicated that the Executive will review the weapons records of the security system or the university guard service to determine if there is illegal carrying.
“What we are going to verify are the weapons records of the security system or the guard service that the University of San Carlos has to ensure that there is no illegal carrying of weapons in this case,” said the president.
Arévalo also responded to accusations from organizations and protesters who questioned the actions of the PNC, considering that it did not intervene immediately during the incidents.
According to Arévalo, the police action was in accordance with the resolution issued by the Constitutional Court (CC), which ordered the Ministry of the Interior to guarantee perimeter security during the inauguration.
“What we can see are the facts, rather than the statements, and the facts show that the presence of the Police, first of all, complied with what was established in the CC ruling, which was the need to have perimeter protection for the USAC. Secondly, the function of the PNC was also to protect the protesters around the riots that occurred,” he said.
He added that the disturbances led to clashes and the throwing of projectiles.
“Unfortunately, the riots involved brawls and projectiles. The Police’s role was to protect people. One person was hit in the head and that was more or less the extent of the riots,” he said.
Arévalo assured that the agents acted to contain the violence.
“Indeed, a containment exercise was being carried out. The Police fulfilled their mandate. We are seeing what is needed to ensure that there is no illegal carrying of weapons,” he indicated.
Conflict context
The inauguration of Walter Mazariegos was accompanied by protests from groups of students and professors, who maintain that his re-election lacks legality.
The dissidents argue that during the electoral process opposition electoral bodies did not participate due to provisions adopted by the Higher University Council (CSU).
In addition, they point out that Mazariegos assumed the position without having the settlement issued by the Comptroller General of Accounts (CGC).
The groups that reject the re-election also reported that they requested the Constitutional Court to declare illegal the process that led to the election of the rector.
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