Lawmakers in Mexico City voted to replace traditional bullfights with bloodless ones, ending the killing of bulls in the ring. The decision follows years of legal battles and growing pressure from animal rights groups.
On Tuesday, activists cheered the change, calling it a significant step forward. Humane World for Animals Mexico’s director. However, he warned that a bull event without violence does not mean one without suffering.
Plaza Mexico, the world’s largest bullfighting arena, will continue hosting events, but matadors can only use capes to provoke charges. Traditional weapons like lances, spears, and swords are now banned. Bulls will also wear horn protectors to prevent injuries to matadors or other animals.
These events will last no more than 15 minutes, after which the bulls must return to their owners. Officials also banned any post-fight slaughter, ensuring bulls could not be killed inside or outside the ring.
Bullfighting industry leaders, however, oppose the regulation, arguing they were not consulted. A lawyer named Salvador Arias from Tauromaquia Mexicana criticized the attempt, mentioning that a similar effort failed in Spain’s Balearic Island.
Some animal rights groups predict the new format will struggle to attract fans. The policy shift began with a citizen’s proposal for a complete ban, but Mexico City’s government modified it to retain bullfighting’s economic benefits.
Clara Brugada, the head of the Mexico City government, defended the move, stating, “Animal welfare is a right and a duty for society.” Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, supported it, saying the decision aligns with evolving cultural values. Whether the bloodless bullfighting in Mexico City will sustain interest remains uncertain, but animal rights activists call it a crucial victory.
