The legislators of Mexico City approved by a wide majority a legislation that prohibits violent bullfights. It is part of an initiative called “bullfights without violence”.
This measure eliminates the death of bulls in the arena and prohibits the use of sharp objects that could harm the animals. It also establishes limits on the time that bulls can spend in the ring.
The vote resulted in 61 in favor and one against. The outcome unleashed celebrations among animal rights defenders and fury among bullfighting supporters.
Divided Reactions after the Bullfight Ban Measure
The change in legislation sparked intense protests from bullfighting enthusiasts and matadors. Some protesters tried to break through a police barricade at the local Congress.
On the other hand, animal rights defenders and Mayor Clara Brugada, from the Morena party, celebrated the decision as a step towards respect for animal rights and against mistreatment.
Tradition versus Animal Cruelty
For decades, bullfights have been a deeply rooted tradition in Mexico and in other Latin American nations, attracting crowds to the arenas. However, this practice has been criticized for its cruelty towards animals.
According to animal rights groups, approximately 180,000 bulls are sacrificed each year in bullfights worldwide.
In June 2022, a judge in Mexico City ruled that bullfights violated residents’ rights to a healthy and violence-free environment, banning the practice.
This decision was celebrated by activists as a step towards the definitive elimination of this tradition, but bullfighters and other supporters argued that the ban had an economic impact on the city, as the National Association of Breeders of Fighting Bulls stated that bullfighting generates more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in Mexico.
In 2023, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation overturned the ban, allowing bullfight arenas to resume their activities. However, the new legislation seems to seek a compromise between animal rights defenders and fans of the “fiesta brava”, transforming bullfights into a violence-free spectacle.
Cover photo: Ginnette Riquelme – AP
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