The explanation that University of San Carlos of Guatemala (Usac) gave about the disappearance of academic records of students raised new questions among those affected, who claim that Until a few days ago, their files were available in the system and they have certifications, registration certificates and other documents issued during the 2025 and the 2026.
After various media published complaints from students who claim to have lost access to their academic records, USAC released on July 21 a video in which he attributed the situation to the theft of physical files during the takeover of the campus central between 2022 and 2023.
According to the university, the disappearance of those physical files caused the “freezing” of the digital records, because it was not possible to determine the scope of the affected information.
“As a result of the seizure of facilities at the university’s central campus during the year 2022 and 2023, physical student records were stolen (…) which caused the freezing of the academic record of the digital systems,” the institution indicated.
As part of the actions, USAC enabled a special window on July 22 to individually review the files of the affected students.
Post-take cases
However, the university’s explanation does not match the situation of some students whose records were generated several years after the campus takeover.
one of them is Angelstudent of the School of Communication Scienceswho He started his studies in 2025 and has a card corresponding to that year.
According to the documentation to which he had access Free press, he Academic Control Department of that unit he extended the July 17, 2026 a certification stating that you are pursuing a career in Professional Journalismhas 13 approved courses and an average of over 70 points.
In addition, it keeps the official registration records corresponding to the 2025 cycles and of 2026issued by the university itself, documents that also appeared on the digital platform of Registration and Statistics until a few days ago.
Now, when trying to log in, you only receive the message: “These credentials do not match our records.” In addition, it is indicated that there is no email associated with your user and you are sent to the windows of the Department of Registration and Statistics.
It is not an isolated case
The situation is repeated with other students.
Luciaanother affected student, obtained a course certification issued on July 21, 2026with 28 approved courses and average of 70.54 points. She is simultaneously pursuing a degree in Historyand also has the approval document by 29 courses issued to the 15 days of July just passed.
Meanwhile, Camillastudent of the Faculty of Architecture, received the July 17 an official certification that It accredits 43 approved subjects and an average of 83 points. It also preserves its registration certificates corresponding to the 2025 cycles and of 2026.
His case adds another element that contrasts with the institutional explanation.
Just four months ago, the March 11, 2026, was elected student representative of the Faculty of Architecture before the Higher University Council (CSU) for the period 2026-2028, as recorded in an official record of that academic unit. According to that document, he obtained 183 votes in a second election day in which 290 students participated.
Another case is that of Andrewstudent of Engineeringwho retains his official registration certificate corresponding to the 2026 school yearissued by the same Usac. The document shows that his academic record was valid this year, before he reported problems accessing the Registration and Statistics platform.
The files and documents reviewed by Free press show that, until recently, students had current academic records and were institutionally recognized by different departments of the university.
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More students are looking for answers
The first students began to go to the Department of Registration and Statistics the past July 17 to verify your situation.
That day three students from the Faculty Right. Later, students from Communication Sciences, as well as three from Quetzaltenango and other affected people who, for fear of reprisals, requested to keep their identity confidential.
Until this Wednesday, the group that has personally attended Registry and Statistics amounts to 12 students, who seek to know what happened to their records and request the restitution of their academic records.
Meanwhile, the lawyer Percy Mendezwho accompanies several of those affected, explained that students present individual memorials to request the restitution of their records, although some have decided not to do so out of fear. He indicated that the university has an administrative period that can be extended up to 30 business days to respondsituation that classified as especially serious for those who are close to completing their studies.
Furthermore, he held the rector Walter Mazariegos and to the university authorities, by stating that “they enjoy total impunity”which, according to him, has allowed them to delete academic records and violate students’ rights without facing consequences.
Méndez warns that, as long as there is no institutional response, uncertainty persists about the extent of the effects.
Also read: PDH gives USAC five days to explain alteration and disappearance of student records