MEXICO CITY: In the heart of Plaza Mexico stadium, once desolate and cold, a young matador now practices with determination. Instead of facing a live bull, he maneuvers around a cart bearing a bull’s head, guided by a colleague who aims to infuse authenticity into the training sessions. This preparation aligns with the anticipation of the revival of bullfighting in Mexico City after a judicial ban in June 2022 was overturned by the country’s Supreme Court of Justice.
Juan Esteban Arboleda Gómez, also known as Juan Gómez “Dynasty,” a novice bullfighter from Colombia, relocated to the Mexican capital, longing to pursue a career delayed by a lower court’s injunction. His sentiments echoed those of many others impacted by the ban, finding solace and joy in the high court’s recent ruling.
Although specific event dates at Plaza Mexico are yet to be disclosed, the prospect of bullfights’ return has reignited concerns among animal rights activists. The hiatus, triggered by legal actions instigated by Justicia Justa, spotlighted the alleged adverse effects of bullfighting on Mexico City residents, citing violence and animal cruelty.
The movement to abolish this centuries-old tradition is not limited to Mexico. It resonates globally, with ongoing judicial barriers in states like Sinaloa, Guerrero, Coahuila, Quintana Roo, and the city of Guadalajara. Despite the setback for animal rights represented by the court’s decision to lift the ban, Jorge Gaviño, a member of the Mexico City Congress, remains committed to collaborating with various groups to file new appeals against the practice.
“It’s very complicated, but it doesn’t discourage us because sooner or later we’re going to achieve the thing we set out to do. This is irreversible,” Gaviño said. He observed that “bullfighting festivals have fewer and fewer followers” because humans have learned to recognize the pain of other sentient creatures.
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According to Humane Society International, approximately 180,000 bulls face death in bullfights annually, with additional harm inflicted during related events like bull parties. The organization emphasizes the prolonged suffering of bulls in the arena, enduring physical and mental torment before meeting their demise.
Revival of Bullfighting in Mexico City Invites Criticism Among Animal Rights
Conversely, figures from the National Association of Breeders of Fighting Bulls in Mexico reveal that bullfighting supports 80,000 direct jobs and 146,000 indirect jobs nationwide, generating an estimated $400 million yearly. Mexico City’s Plaza Mexico stands as a significant bullfighting venue, often likened to a cathedral within the sport, alongside renowned bullrings like Las Ventas in Madrid and La Maestranza in Seville, Spain.
Daniel Salinas, a passionate 63-year-old writer deeply entrenched in Plaza Mexico’s history, vehemently opposed the bullfighting ban. Reflecting on the empty plaza, once filled with the exuberant cries of over 40,000 spectators shouting “Ole!,” he lamented the stark desolation that contrasted sharply with its vibrant past, recalling how the bustling ring had captivated him as a child.
“That they took away your right to come, well, the truth is that you feel your freedom has been curtailed,” Salinas said.
The Dec. 6 ruling by a unanimous four-member Supreme Court panel stated that the organization behind the case failed to demonstrate “imminent and irreparable damage” caused by the fights. Additionally, the panel asserted that the prohibition of bullfights impinged upon the rights of individuals associated with the industry.
