Mexico City Introduces Ban on Traditional Bullfighting Amid Controversy

Amid a heated debate, the Mexico City legislature has decisively moved to ban traditional bullfighting, allowing only non-lethal practices, championed by those advocating for animal rights while stirring backlash from enthusiasts of the sport.

In a historic vote on Tuesday, Mexico City lawmakers took a significant step towards animal welfare by outlawing traditional bullfighting, a practice deeply ingrained in the nation's culture. The legislation, supported by President Claudia Sheinbaum, prohibits the injury or killing of bulls during fights, marking a shift in how this centuries-old sport will be conducted in the future.

The measure passed overwhelmingly with a 61-1 vote and will allow an alternative style labeled "bullfighting without violence." Under the new regulations, bulls can no longer be harmed, and bullfighters are permitted to use only capes, which fundamentally alters the traditional spectacle that many have cherished for generations.

Xochitl Bravo Espinosa, a legislator from Mexico City and a key proponent of the new law, expressed her commitment to animal welfare while also highlighting the need to support the communities reliant on the bullfighting industry. She noted the importance of finding a middle ground that would allow modified bullfights to continue, thereby preserving jobs for vendors and others affected, particularly around La Plaza México, the world’s largest bullfighting arena.

Despite the legislative victory for animal rights advocates, traditional bullfighting supporters vehemently opposed the ban. On the same day as the vote, protestors gathered outside the legislature to voice their dissent. They issued a collective statement claiming this decision marks the "beginning of a fight for our bullfighting," indicating the ongoing clash between cultural tradition and evolving societal values surrounding animal rights.