Bullfighting without blood: Mexico City lawmakers end centuries-old tradition

Mar 19

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Craig Nigrelli Anchor

By Craig Nigrelli (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor)

Mexico City’s legislature passed a landmark bill banning violent bullfighting, prioritizing animal welfare. The law restricts matadors’ tools and fight times.
Mayor Clara Brugada championed the move, emphasizing respect for animal rights and an end to cruelty.
The ban sparks protests and economic concerns, with advocate groups pledging to fight the decision.

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Mexico City lawmakers have voted to ban violent bullfighting, a major shift in the country’s long-standing tradition. The legislation, passed in a 61-1 vote, prohibits the killing or injuring of bulls during fights, bans the use of sharp objects such as swords and limits how long a bull can remain in the ring.

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Proponents of the ban advocate for animal welfare, while opponents claim the ban jeopardizes Mexico’s centuries-old cultural and economic tradition.

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How will bullfighting change under the new law?

The new law establishes “bullfighting without violence,” restricting matadors to capes and non-lethal props. Authorities will prohibit killing or harming bulls and limit individual fights to 15 minutes.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, a member of the ruling Morena party, said the ban represents a shift toward “a city which respects animal rights” and does not tolerate cruelty for entertainment.

How has the industry responded?

The decision sparked outrage among bullfighting supporters, including matadors and fans. Protesters clashed with police outside the city’s congress, with some attempting to breach security barriers. Many held signs declaring bullfighting a “point of pride” and arguing that it is a cultural heritage rather than an act of cruelty.

Critics also warn that the ban could have economic consequences. The National Association of Breeders of Fighting Bulls in Mexico estimates that bullfighting generates 80,000 direct jobs and another 146,000 indirect jobs nationwide. The industry contributes approximately $400 million annually to the Mexican economy.

What legal battles has bullfighting faced in Mexico?

Bullfighting has long been controversial in Mexico City. In 2022, a judge ruled that bullfights violated residents’ right to a healthy environment free from violence, leading to a temporary ban. That decision was overturned by Mexico’s Supreme Court in 2023, allowing bullfights to resume.

The latest legislation appears to be a compromise between both sides — keeping the tradition alive while eliminating bloodshed. However, legal challenges are expected, as bullfighting groups vowed to fight the decision in court.

Where else is bullfighting banned?

Bullfighting remains popular in parts of Spain and Latin America, but several countries took steps to ban or phase out the practice. Colombia passed a law to gradually eliminate bullfights by 2027, and Ecuador’s capital, Quito, banned the killing of animals in bullrings.

In Mexico, five of the country’s 31 states have already prohibited bullfighting. With Mexico City being home to La Plaza México, the world’s largest bullring, the new law could influence similar restrictions across the country.

What happens next?

The law is set to go into effect in 210 days, giving authorities time to draft new regulations. Bullfighting supporters say they will challenge the law, while animal rights groups argue that the fight is not over.

Tags: animal welfare, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain

[CRAIG NIGRELLI]

MEXICO CITY LAWMAKERS HAVE VOTED TO BAN VIOLENT BULLFIGHTING, TRIGGERING CELEBRATION FROM ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND OUTRAGE FROM FANS OF THE CENTURIES-OLD TRADITION.

THE LEGISLATION, PASSED IN A 61-1 VOTE, PROHIBITS THE KILLING OR INJURING OF BULLS IN THE RING AND BANS MATADORS FROM USING SHARP OBJECTS LIKE SWORDS. IT ALSO LIMITS THE TIME A BULL CAN SPEND IN THE RING TO 15 MINUTES.

SUPPORTERS OF THE BAN SAY IT’S A STEP TOWARD ANIMAL WELFARE, WITH MEXICO CITY MAYOR CLARA BRUGADA CALLING IT A MOVE TO END “CRUELTY AS A SPECTACLE.” ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS SAY AROUND 180,000 BULLS ARE KILLED IN BULLFIGHTS WORLDWIDE EVERY YEAR.

BUT OPPONENTS ARGUE IT THREATENS AN ICONIC TRADITION AND A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY. BULLFIGHTING GENERATES AROUND 80,000 JOBS IN MEXICO CITY ALONE, AND SUPPORTERS SAY THE LAW UNDERMINES THE ECONOMY AND CULTURE.

OUTSIDE THE CITY’S CONGRESS, ANGRY PROTESTERS CLASHED WITH POLICE, SOME TRYING TO FORCE THEIR WAY INTO THE BUILDING. FANS HELD SIGNS DECLARING BULLFIGHTING A “POINT OF PRIDE,” WHILE MATADORS SAID THE BAN STRIPS THE SPORT OF ITS ESSENCE.

THE INDUSTRY HAS FACED LEGAL CHALLENGES BEFORE—A JUDGE BANNED BULLFIGHTING IN MEXICO CITY IN 2022, BUT THE COUNTRY’S SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED THAT RULING LAST YEAR. NOW, LAWMAKERS HAVE FOUND A COMPROMISE—KEEPING BULLFIGHTS BUT ELIMINATING THE BLOODSHED.

THE NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT IN 210 DAYS, GIVING OFFICIALS TIME TO FINALIZE REGULATIONS. IN THE MEANTIME, BULLFIGHTING GROUPS SAY THEY’LL FIGHT BACK IN COURT TO REVERSE THE DECISION.

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