La Rioja authorities suspend Estudiantina competition following violence

The Estudiantina school competition has been suspended following multiple incidents of violence in La Rioja, Argentina. The decision by the District Headquarters follows a series of altercations between students and outsiders, which resulted in a young person being seriously injured with a knife.

On Tuesday, a 14-year-old student was intercepted at the Escuela de Comercio N° 1 after classmates reported he was carrying a butcher-style knife in his backpack. Authorities indicated the conflict originated from disputes on social media, with the student allegedly intending to confront a peer who was not present at school.

The organizers confirmed that the suspension applies not only to the current edition but also to the 2027 competition. Following the violence, the Colegio Santa Rosa de Lima announced its withdrawal from the event. The incidents occurred despite previous warnings from educational authorities regarding the need for security during the festivities.