Statement
Public
The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) categorically condemns the arbitrary closure of the Central American University of Nicaragua (UCA), while expressing its solidarity with the community of more than 6,000 students, 550 academics, and hundreds of people in administrative positions affected by this situation.
The National Council of Universities of Nicaragua revoked the operating license of the UCA, followed by the occupation of its campus, the seizure of its assets, and the removal of the UCA from the state funding system for higher education. Subsequently, the Council announced that the UCA would be replaced by the Casimiro Sotelo Montenegro National University, and proceeded to install new authorities.
In the opinion of CRUCH, the actions taken against UCA constitute an attack on the fundamental principles of higher education related to academic freedom and university autonomy. Furthermore, these actions contravene the principles adopted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights under the Pact of San José, Costa Rica of 1978, which has been recognized by more than 20 countries, including Chile and Nicaragua.
Democracy, pluralism, and diversity of thought are essential elements of society, which find their natural expression in the university environment. Therefore, this Council of Rectors calls upon the international community to be vigilant and unite in defense of academic freedom, university autonomy, and human rights, in Nicaragua and throughout the world.
Spanish 
English