Bullfighting in Mexico City can continue – but without violence. A new law now bans the traditional practice of injuring or killing the bull, sparking protests from supporters.
Bullfighting has its roots in Iran, but is now mainly practiced in Spain, southern France and a number of Latin American countries such as Mexico and Colombia. It is a form of entertainment which, in short, involves a bullfighter, called a matador, fighting a bull. It is set up for the matador to win and the bull is injured and tired out to make this possible. Among other things, it is traditional to stick a lance in the bull’s neck. The show ends with the bull being killed on the spot with a sword. If the matador’s performance is good enough, an ear or tail can be taken home as a trophy.
Lawmakers in Mexico City have voted 61 to 1 in favor of a new law banning the violent aspect of bullfighting, AP News reports. Bulls can no longer be injured or killed during the shows, and sharp objects are banned. The bulls’ horns will also be protected, and the matador will only be allowed to use his red cape and cloak.
The bulls must not be injured or killed during the show. The horns of the bulls will be protected to avoid injury and all sharp objects are prohibited. The matador will only be allowed to wear his red cape and cowl.
The decision has been met with strong protests from supporters of bullfighting, who say the law threatens a cultural tradition. Several tried to break through a police barricade at the local congress after the vote, carrying signs saying “Being a fan of la fiesta brava (bullfighting) is not a crime, it’s a point of pride”.
Years of debate
The debate around bullfighting has been going on for years in Latin American countries, with animal rights activists arguing that it is animal cruelty, while others point to it as a tradition to be upheld. In 2022, a judge banned bullfighting in Mexico City and shut down one of the largest bullfighting rings in the world. However, the following year, Mexico’s Supreme Court overturned the decision, without any seemingly reasonable explanation, and reopened the bullfighting rings.
With the new law, advocates hope that animal protection will now have a stronger foothold – without banning the tradition itself.
– It was either this or nothing, says Sofía Morín, an animal rights activist from the organization Culture Without Torture, Mexico Without Bullfighting, which is leading the initiative to change the law. We prefer this because, without a doubt, it’s a huge step in protecting animals.
