Bullfighting: Colombia's traditional 'blood' sport has been banned, here's why
Lawmakers in Colombia have approved a bill that seeks to ban one of the country's biggest and oldest traditional sports, bullfighting.
The approval comes after 93 Congress members voted for ‘yes’ as opposed to the 2-member vote for ‘no’ during a debate on the bill.
Congress on May 28 announced the approval of the last of four debates that were held in parliament to discuss the bill.
The bill awaits presidential sanction to become a law in the country.
About the bill
The bill was proposed by senator of the Historical Pact Esmeralda Hernández and 45 other congressmen who sought to stop the popular spot which they described as cruel and a symbol of torture.
The arguments were that while it puts the participants at risk of death and injury, it also kills the animals.
The bill was approved in the three initial debates held in Commission VI of the House but faced multiple suspensions during plenary discussions, local reports confirm.
Congressmen, bullfighters, animal rights activists, and representatives of various mayor’s offices were involved in the debate.
The bill includes provisions for the employment of workers in the bullfighting industry as part of efforts to reduce the economic impact of the bill. The bill also makes provision for the conversion of bullrings, 10% of which are still active, into cultural centres that could revitalise the affected communities.
Opposition to the bill
The bill generated controversy as there were both advocates for its prohibition and activists who were against the ban.
Among the arguments by defenders of the sport was the fact that bullfighting has a huge economic impact on the country as well as on individuals and groups who depend on bullfighting.
The senator of the Democratic Center, María Fernanda Cabal, argued that hundreds depend on bullfighting to make a living and its prohibition would end a deeply rooted tradition in several regions of the country.
Meanwhile, Colombia’s President Gustave Petro has lauded the approval of the bill.
“Congratulations to those who finally managed to make death not a spectacle,” said the president. Those who have fun with the death of animals will end up having fun with the death of human beings; "Just as those who burn books will end up burning human beings,” he wrote on X.
Bullfighting
Bullfighting is a popular sport in many Spanish-speaking countries. Scores of persons pay to watch the ceremonial fight between bulls and matadors (bullfighter who works the capes and usually kills the bull). The fight usually happens in a sand arena and the bulls are usually killed. It is also popular in Portugal and southern France, but it is illegal to kill the bull in these countries.
