Mexico City lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to ban violent bullfighting, a decision that was met with both outrage and celebration. The legislation, passed by a 61-1 vote, prohibits the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects that could harm the animals. It also imposes time limits on the duration bulls can be in the ring, as part of an initiative called “bullfighting without violence.” The move triggered protests from bullfighting supporters and matadors who clashed with police outside the local Congress, while animal rights advocates including Mayor Clara Brugada hailed the decision as a step towards respecting animal rights and preventing abuse. Tuesday’s vote sought to find a middle ground between opposing sides in a longstanding debate over the tradition of bullfighting in Mexico.
Bullfighting, a practice deeply rooted in Latin American culture, has faced criticism for its cruelty towards animals, with an estimated 180,000 bulls killed annually worldwide. The ban in Mexico City in June 2022 by a judge was seen as a victory by animal rights activists, but a setback for the economic impact on the city, as bullfighting is a significant source of jobs in the country. However, in 2023, Mexico’s Supreme Court overturned the ban without explanation, allowing bullfighting to resume in the city’s arenas. The ongoing debate over bullfighting reflects the complex balance between tradition, animal welfare, and economic interests in Mexican society.
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