MEXICO CITY—Humane World for Animals Mexico (formerly Humane Society International/Mexico) cautiously welcomes a vote by the Mexico City Congress to ban what it calls “violent bullfights.” The ban brings in new rules with immediate effect that ban the killing of bulls inside or outside the ring, as well as the infliction of physical injury such as stabbing animals with sharp objects like swords or spears. The reform, which was voted through by 61 votes in favour and 1 against, prohibits violence to animals in bullfights as well as novilladas, rejoneo, becerradas and other events where bulls traditionally suffer injuries or death. Bulls will also no longer be exempt from animal protection law and will, for the first time, receive full legal protection from abuse. Bulls must be returned to the ranches from which they came after all events.
The ban was proposed last week by Clara Brugada, Mexico City’s head of government, following a citizens’ petition by México Sin Toreo, a coalition of non-profits, signed by 27,442 citizens. Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, also spoke in support of the initiative.
The ban removes the key aspects of animal injury and death from bullrings such as the Plaza México, the largest bullfighting arena in the world. However, Humane World for Animals Mexico cautions that “violence-free” does not mean suffering-free, as bulls will still be subjected to the stress of being transported, entering a noisy bullring and being goaded to charge the matador’s red cape or “muleta.”
Anton Aguilar, executive director of Humane World for Animals Mexico, said: “Although this is not a complete ban on bullfighting in Mexico City, it represents an important step toward eradicating the torment and killing of animals for entertainment and a stronger commitment to compassion in our society. Bulls will no longer be subjected to the brutal cruelty of being repeatedly stabbed and ultimately killed in the ring, which is something we welcome. We welcome, too, the clear acknowledgement by the Mexico City government that traditional bullfights are inherently violent and socially unacceptable. Every step we take towards the more humane treatment of animals helps us build a more ethical society. However, it’s important also to acknowledge that a bull event without violence does not mean one without suffering, as bulls will still be subjected to significant and completely unnecessary stress. We remain committed to a cruelty-free future, one in which no animal suffers in the name of entertainment.”
Bullfighting was suspended in Mexico City in May 2022 by a judge, but that decision was overturned by the Supreme Court of Justice in December 2023. A total of 54 bulls were killed in Mexico City’s nine-day bullfight season of 2024. the five Mexican states of Sinaloa, Sonora, Guerrero, Coahuila and Quintana Roo.
Bullfighting is already banned in several countries including Argentina, Cuba and Italy and most recently in Colombia, which banned bullfighting in July 2024, effective from 2027. That nation’s more than a dozen bullrings will be turned into cultural and sporting venues. Globally, approximately 180,000 bulls are killed in bullfights annually, in countries including Spain, France, Portugal and Venezuela Humane World for Animals Mexico representatives are available for interview in Spanish and English.