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Plaza de Toros in Mexico City: More than 41,000 spectators watched the fight in the world's largest bullring
Photo: Luis E Salgado / ZUMA Wire / IMAGO
Shortly after bullfights resumed in Mexico City, the controversial spectacles were initially banned again. A judge ruled on Wednesday that no further bullfights can be held in the Mexican capital until a court hearing on February 7. A possible final ban on bullfighting will be discussed at the court hearing.
Bullfights in Mexico City only resumed on Sunday after a break of around one and a half years. More than 41,000 spectators watched the fight in the world's largest bullring, Plaza de Toros México. Animal rights activists protested in front of the stadium. The next bullfight was actually planned for next Sunday.
In June 2022, a Mexican court ordered an end to bullfighting following a lawsuit from animal rights activists. In December 2023, Mexico's Supreme Court overturned this decision, but without making a fundamental ruling on the legality of bullfights.
Bullfights are no longer allowed to take place in four of Mexico's 32 provinces. In Spain and Portugal, where bullfighting originated, the controversial tradition continues during the summer months. It is also allowed in the south of France.
Whether it is legitimate to kill animals in a painful show fight is debated in both Europe and Latin America. In Venezuela, some regular bullfights were abolished, while in Peru a court case to ban the fights failed.
wit/AFP