The Ministry of Education has requested clarifications from the Council of State on a ruling upholding José Ismael Peña's election as rector of the Universidad Nacional. The request aims to determine if the sentence requires immediate actions or is merely declarative. Meanwhile, the Superior University Council appointed Andrés Felipe Mora as interim rector after declaring the position vacant.
On November 25, 2025, the Ministry of Education filed a formal request with the Council of State's Contentious Administrative Chamber for clarifications on the ruling affecting the rector's designation at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Through its attorney, Edgar Fabián Garzón Buenaventura, the Ministry argued that the ruling shows no concrete or explicit directives to the Superior University Council (CSU) or the Government, leading to diverse interpretations and legal uncertainty.
José Ismael Peña's election as rector for the 2024-2027 period took place on March 21, 2024, by the CSU. The Council of State, in a ruling from the previous Thursday, denied the nullity of this election, finding the process lawful and without irregularities. The lawsuit was filed by Erick Adrián Velasco Burbano, Leopoldo Múnera (current rector), Alberto Yepes, Rodrigo Uprimny, and Cristian Dulcey.
Peña accused the CSU of 'openly disregarding' his designation, noting they adopted Múnera's thesis despite a prior nullity declaration. 'These actions deviate from legality and the academic spirit,' Peña stated. The CSU, in an extraordinary session, declared the position vacant after the annulment of Múnera's designation due to irregularities in the resolution, erroneously applying Article 41 of Law 1437 of 2011. With five votes in favor, they appointed Andrés Felipe Mora, the general vice-rector, as interim rector and will notify the Attorney General's Office.
The Ministry stressed the need to clarify if compliance is limited to acknowledging the nullity or includes additional obligations, such as Peña's reinstatement, to prevent contradictory decisions and violations of legality.
