The Council of State denied the nullity of José Ismael Peña's designation as rector of the National University for the 2024-2027 period. Both Peña and current rector Leopoldo Múnera reacted to the ruling, stressing respect for justice and institutional unity. Students are considering strikes in protest.
The Council of State issued its decision on the lawsuit against José Ismael Peña's election as rector of the National University, conducted on March 21, 2024, by the Superior University Council (CSU). The court ruled the process legal and found no grounds for nullity, thus rejecting the request filed by Erick Adrián Velasco Burbano, Leopoldo Múnera, Alberto Yepes, Rodrigo Uprimny, and Cristian Dulcey.
Leopoldo Múnera, the current rector, stated on his X account: “I will respect the sentence issued by the Council of State, but I consider it was too lenient with the CSU that designated José Ismael Peña and too strict with the CSU that designated me.” In a video posted on social media, he added: “At this moment, the responsibility for the university's direction and its future, regarding the rector's appointment, falls to the Superior University Council in accordance with the two sentences issued by the Council of State.”
José Ismael Peña, the elected rector, said in a statement: “Complying with the decisions of justice honors democracy, institutionalism, and the pact that unites us as a society, and it is our duty as public servants.” He called on the university community: “I make a sincere and urgent call today to the entire university community—to students, faculty, staff, alumni—for us to reconnect from respect, dialogue, and collective construction.” He concluded: “I trust that together we will refocus on what unites us: academic excellence, research in service of the nation, and building a future for new generations.”
Students, whose votes largely favored Múnera, met on Friday to plan actions, including potential strikes just weeks before the semester ends. Some faculty oppose disruptions near the close of classes, proposing to delay protests until 2026.