The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, rejected the acts of violence that occurred this Wednesday, June 3, at the University of Antioquia and assured that the people who carried out the riots cannot be considered students.but members of groups that seek to affect public order in the city.
The incidents were recorded during the afternoon in the facilities of the educational institution, where several hooded individuals engaged in confrontations and detonated artisanal explosive devices known as potato bombs. The events were recorded in videos that circulated widely on social networks and generated concern among students, teachers and residents of nearby areas.
According to information published by Semana Magazinethe Medellín Security Secretariat estimated that more than 40 people participated in the violent actions that altered normality inside and around the university campus.
Gutiérrez assured that those who participated in the riots do not represent the academic community and maintained that they are armed people who affect the coexistence and security of the city. The president pointed out that these events not only harm the University of Antioquia, but also Medellín and the country.
According to statements collected by Semana Magazinethe mayor maintained that those responsible for the riots were carrying explosives and other elements used to cause material damage and confront the authorities.
During his statement, Federico Gutiérrez supported the actions of the National Police to address the situation and control the disturbances registered on the university campus.
The president affirmed that the authorities must act forcefully against this type of behavior. As he explained, the priority of the district administration is to guarantee the safety of citizens and prevent violent groups from generating disturbances in public order.
“They are armed, they are full of explosives and they do a lot of damage to the University of Antioquia, Medellín and Colombia. The Police have to respond forcefully to the actions of these groups,” said the mayor, according to reports. Semana Magazine.
Likewise, he indicated that the instructions given to the public force are aimed at preserving order and protecting both the university community and the inhabitants of the city.
The mayor also warned that he will not allow road blockades or similar actions that affect the mobility of citizens. In that sense, he pointed out that the administration will continue to work in a coordinated manner with the authorities to prevent situations of this type from being repeated.
In addition to referring to the riots, Gutiérrez took advantage of his intervention to send a message related to compliance with the law and respect for institutions.
As published by Semana Magazinethe president assured that the authorities will act in accordance with the Constitution and that no person or group can be above the established norms.
“They can continue to threaten, they can have the support of President Petro and the national government, but they cannot violate the law and the Constitution,” the mayor stated during his statement.
The head of the district administration maintained that Medellín will maintain a firm stance against any action that affects citizen coexistence or that seeks to alter the institutional order.
Finally, he reiterated that security operations will continue to be active and assured that the authorities will continue investigating the origin of the people involved in the riots. As he explained, there are preliminary indications that some of the participants may have arrived from other regions of the country.
