In the heart of the bullfighting world, Mexico City lawmakers have made a groundbreaking decision that is causing waves across the globe. By an overwhelming majority, the city’s lawmakers voted to ban the age-old tradition of bullfighting — a practice both deeply rooted in culture and heavily criticized for its impact on animal welfare. This bold move has garnered the support of Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, but faces fierce opposition from those who have dedicated their lives to this practice.

The legislation passed with an impressive 61 to 1 vote, marking a significant shift towards animal welfare in the region. It not only prohibits the injury or killing of bulls for sport, both inside and outside arenas but also looks to redefine bullfighting —allowing for what supporters call “bullfighting without violence.” This involves strict rules on how long a bull can be in the ring and limits bullfighters to using only capes in their performances.

At the heart of this movement is Xochitl Bravo Espinosa, a city legislator who has championed the effort for animal welfare. She emphasizes the importance of finding balance —allowing the bullfights to continue in a modified form to protect the livelihoods of those who depend on the industry. Her motivations echo around the stalls of La Plaza México, the world’s largest bullfighting arena, which attracts thousands and serves as a livelihood for many.

Despite her efforts, the decision has been met with strong resistance from bullfighting advocates. Proponents of the practice, including Raúl Pérez Johnston from Tauromaquia Mexicana, argue that there are numerous unclear aspects of the new law and pledge to challenge it legally.

La Plaza México, the epicenter of this controversy, released a statement before the vote, arguing that the proposal is a “clear threat” against one of Mexico’s most rooted cultural traditions. They believe the changes could fundamentally alter the essence of bullfighting, moving away from its origins.

This decision marks a significant chapter in Mexico City’s complicated relationship with bullfighting. Just last year, the practice was at the center of a legal battle, with a human rights group successfully convincing a court to suspend bullfights at La Plaza México. However, the decision was overturned by the Supreme Court, allowing bullfighting to resume with much fanfare.

Bullfighting, with its roots tracing back to Spain and spreading across Latin America, is facing not just a legal but an existential crisis. While the practice faces declining numbers and increasing opposition, it still continues in several countries including Spain, France, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, with some having only recently committed to bans that won’t take effect until 2027.

Mexico’s first bullfight is recorded as far back as 1526, with over 300 bullfighting plazas currently in existence. Yet, since 2013, five of Mexico’s 31 states have banned bullfighting, signaling a broader cultural shift.

According to Mexico City’s legislature, a significant concern lies in the numbers: 168 bulls and steers were killed at La Plaza México in 2019 alone. Proponents argue that this represents just a small fraction of all bulls born in Mexico, and that the industry creates tens of thousands of jobs. The new legislation limits the time that bulls can be in the ring and restricts the tools bullfighters can use, aiming to redefine the gruesome spectacle.

While many celebrate the decision, others feel it hasn’t gone far enough. Animal Heroes, an organization that has campaigned against bullfighting in Mexico, applauds the move but calls for its total abolition, visioning a future free of any form of bullfighting.

Looking ahead, the city government plans to outline new bullfighting regulations over the next seven months, aiming to incorporate input from all sides to ensure that this cultural tradition can adapt to modern sensibilities regarding animal welfare. The upcoming Regla Presid Sheinbaum again reiterated her support for the violence-free bullfighting as “a very important step.”

This legislation represents not just a victory for animal rights but also a significant moment in a longstanding cultural debate that pits tradition against evolving perspectives on animal welfare.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/world/americas/mexico-city-bans-traditional-bullfights.html