The cultural show of bullfighting, which dates back to almost 500 years of history, may have days numbered in Mexico City. After some temporary prohibitions ordered by the country’s Federal Court, the end of practice should be considered by the Mexican capital congress between February and March this year.
Earlier this month, the Mexico City Electoral Institute (IECM) notified the capital Congress that a positive opinion was given to the request made by a citizen initiative defending the ban on public, private and itinerant spectacles with animals, especially bullfighting, bullfighting, especially bullfighting shows, Although other events such as gallling groves have been cited.
The citizen initiative is a mechanism of direct democracy through which citizens present to Congress projects for the creation, modification, reform and revocation of laws or decrees. within its competence. For a request to have preferential treatment through the local legislature, a minimum support of 0.25% of voters is required. The more than 27,000 signatures collected represent the support of 0.35% of the nominal list of voters in the capital.
Even with both internal and abroad protests they are growing-even former Beatle Paul McCartney has loaned his image to combat bullfighting-the theme involves cultural, political and even economic issues. Therefore, there is no consensus on the end of bull races or even changes that can change events and mitigate animal suffering.
O Infomoney listed some data, information and curiosities on the subject. See below:
When did bullfighting started in Mexico?
In Mexico, Tauromaquia – a name given to the practice of shaking animals – began with the Spanish conquest. Although there are reports of bullfighting in 1526, the first was officially occurred in August 15, 1529, to celebrate the Tenochtitlán taking. This event took place at Plaza Mayor, as there was no dedicated place for this purpose. In 1946, Plaza Mexico, the largest in the world, with a capacity of over 46,000 viewers was inaugurated. This is the place that has received more Federal Court sanctions since 2022.
Continues after advertising
Where are they still practicing bullfighting legally? Where are they forbidden?
Seven countries around the world are still performing shows or taurine fairs: Ecuador, Spain, France, Mexico, Peru, Portugal and Venezuela. In some of these countries, there are regions that have already abolished the practice, as in the Spanish autonomous communities of the Canary and Catalonia. In others, modifications were adopted – in Portugal, for example, the animal is not killed in front of the public; In Ecuador, the death of the bull is prohibited. Colombia Congress voted for the total ban last year. In Mexico, only four of the 32 states prohibited the “Fiesta Brava”.
What do advocates of the ban say?
Basically, anti -trick activists cite physical and psychological violence against animals, which are seventive beings. The conditions of breeding and transportation of animals to the arena are also criticized. During a bullfighting, which lasts about 20 minutes, the Bravo bull is subjected to injuries that aim to reduce its strength and agility, in the so -called “rods”, and “bandarillas,” when the animal loses a lot of blood. In the third of the “crutch”, the killer bullfighter sticks a double -edged curved sword, 80 centimeters long, aiming at the heart of the bull. If you do not hit the target precisely, the sword causes lesions in the lungs and bronchial tubes, making the bull suffocate. If he still does not die, a dagger called “decabello” is used in a “blow to free”, cutting the spinal cord.
What do maintenance advocates say?
The argument most commonly used by the defenders of Tauromaquia in Mexico is that this is the oldest massive cultural activity in the country, almost 500 years old – older therefore than the devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of America. For industry entities, bullfighting is an inalienable part of the people’s identity and its existence allows the conservation of cultural heritage from the localities where it is practiced. There is also a defense of the constitutional rights of access to culture; to the free development of personality; to free artistic expression; to freedom of work; and economic activity – chain as a whole would employ between 20 thousand and 30,000 people. The breed of brave bulls also claim the defenders, was specifically created for this purpose and would be extinguished without bullfighting. They also say that animals do not suffer – suffering would be a “human learning” – and that they would not understand the concept of death.
