Chaos at National University of Ucayali: Intruders, vehicle fires reported during student occupation

Tensions flared at the National University of Ucayali (UNU) in Pucallpa when students occupying the campus for over two weeks reported the forceful entry of individuals not affiliated with the university. The protest, ongoing for more than 14 days, is against the current university administration and its rector, Edgardo Leoncio Braul Gomero.

According to student accounts, around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8, a group identified as 'thugs' allegedly broke into the university, cutting chains and confronting students involved in the peaceful occupation. The protesters claim that several students were beaten, threatened, and held captive while vehicles belonging to the university, including vans and a minibus, were set ablaze. The motocar of a student was also reportedly burned. Students suspect these acts were orchestrated to create chaos and subsequently blame the student protesters for vandalism.

Following the disturbances, the National Police took control of the university. However, the intervention led to the detention of several student leaders, including Joaquín Gomero, Hernán Vidaurre, Héctor Bernales, Robert Gavilán, and Abraham Ventura. This led to a gathering of students and parents outside the police station, demanding their immediate release and asserting their innocence.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the police's conduct during the campus incident. Some students allege that officers arrived after the violence had already occurred and suggest a possible bias in favor of the aggressors. A video circulating on social media appears to show student leader Hernán Vidaurre being physically assaulted by an individual whose initials are C.A.P.G. Protesters claim this individual was not initially apprehended by the police present at the scene. Further images and videos allegedly show this individual and others outside the campus before the early morning unrest.

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Momentos de tensión se vivieron durante la madrugada del lunes 8 de junio en las instalaciones de la Universidad Nacional de Ucayali (UNU), en Pucallpa, luego de que alumnos en protesta denunciaran el ingreso de un grupo de personas ajenas a la comunidad universitaria que presuntamente habría agredido físicamente a manifestantes y generado actos de violencia dentro del campus.