Mexico City’s bullring is the largest in the world. Bullfights were stopped for a few days. This was an unusual and symbolic court decision that reignites the debate about the ban on bullfighting in Mexico.
After ruling Friday on the case of Justicia Justa, an association that opposes bullfighting shows, a federal judge will have to decide on the merits within the next few days.
He must, in the meantime listen to both the supporters and the opponents of the tradition that arrived in Mexico 500 years ago with Spanish colonization.
The Mexico City bullring has a capacity for 50,000 people and no shows are planned until July 2. The first “Pamplonada”, the release of bulls on the Pamplona model of San Fermin (in the north) will be held that day.
In recent years, several associations have initiated legal actions to prohibit bullfighting. Proponents believe that the law treats bulls like “things” and neglects animal suffering.
According to 2018 data, the traditional defenders highlight the economic importance of bullfighting (343M turnover, 80,000 direct jobs according to official data).
Five of Mexico’s 32 federal states have banned bullfighting. The ban was approved by the Mexico City Parliament in December. However, no vote in plenary has taken place.
This debate is also ongoing in Latin America. In Quito and Bogota, it is prohibited to kill bulls. Some bullfights have been cancelled in Venezuela. The ban was rescinded by the Peruvian court.
Bullfighting is allowed in Portugal, Spain, and France. There is still a debate. According to the French Senate’s September 2021 explanatory memo, 75% of French citizens support the ban on bullfighting.
