A bullfighter performs at the Plaza Mexico, in Mexico City, on Sunday, January 28, 2024. Bullfighting returned to Mexico City after the Supreme Court of Justice overturned a 2022 ban that prevented these events from taking place in the capital. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
MEXICO CITY 鈥� With protesters outside a full arena, bullfights resumed in Mexico City on Sunday after the country鈥檚 highest court temporarily revoked a local ruling that sided with animal rights defenders and suspended the events for more than a year and a half.
The resumption of bullfights in the Plaza M茅xico, the largest bullfighting arena in the world, raised expectations of fans in the face of a lengthy legal battle between enthusiasts and opponents, who argue the practice violates animal welfare and affects people鈥檚 rights to a healthy environment.
Bullfighting is still allowed in much of Mexico. In the capital, the legal fight for its future is full of twists and turns.
The first bullfighter to enter the ring was the renowned Mexican matador Joselito Adame, with thousands of people cheering the return of 鈥渇iesta brava,鈥� as bullfighting is also known in Spanish. 鈥淟ong live freedom,鈥� some shouted as the first bull entered an arena jammed with spectators.
In all, six bulls were fought on Sunday, January 28, and all were killed.
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Outside, hours before the formal beginning, about 300 people gathered in front of Plaza M茅xico to protest against bullfights. Some activists yelled 鈥淢urderers!鈥� and 鈥淭he plaza is going to fall!鈥� while others played drums or stood with signs reading 鈥淏ullfighting is sadism.鈥�
Police with shields stood by. The protest was mainly peaceful, although there were some moments of tension when some activists threw plastic bottles and stones.
鈥淲hy the bullfights were allowed to return when there is so much evidence of all the damage they do to a living being, such as the bull,鈥� questioned activist Guillermo S谩nchez, who was holding up a sign that read 鈥淪adism disguised as culture, sport and tradition.鈥�
Alfredo Barraza, another protester, said allowing bullfighting is a 鈥渟etback in the fight for animal rights.鈥� Barraza, who had his face covered with a paper mask in the shape of a bull, said he hopes Mexico City will at some point 鈥渂e free of violent spectacles.鈥�
Inside the Plaza, the mood was festive, with people eating, drinking and taking photos.
鈥淚鈥檓 very excited,鈥� said Aldo Palacios, who brought his two children and other relatives to the arena, not only to see the inaugural bullfight, but also to celebrate his 42nd birthday.
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In May 2022, a local court ordered an end to bullfighting activities at Plaza M茅xico in response to an injunction presented by the civil organization Justicia Justa, which defends human rights. But the activities were set to resume Sunday because the nation鈥檚 Supreme Court of Justice in December revoked the suspension while the merits of the case are discussed and a decision is reached on whether bullfights affect animal welfare.
Another civil organization filed an appeal Friday on animal welfare grounds in a last-ditch effort to prevent the activity from resuming. A ruling was not expected before Sunday鈥檚 event.
Animal rights groups have been gaining ground in Mexico in recent years while bullfighting followers have suffered several setbacks. In some states such as Sinaloa, Guerrero, Coahuila, Quintana Roo and the western city of Guadalajara, judicial measures now limit the activity.
Ranchers, businessmen and fans maintain that the ban on bullfights affects their rights and puts at risk several thousand jobs linked to the activity, which they say generates about $400 million a year in Mexico. The National Association of Fighting Bull Breeders in Mexico estimates that bullfighting is responsible for 80,000 direct jobs and 146,000 indirect jobs.
The association has hosted events and workshops in recent years to promote bullfights and find new, younger fans.