Mexico City bans the killing of bulls in bullfights

On March 18, the Mexico City Congress approved a historic reform: bloodless bullfights. While activists celebrate this step toward abolition, the bullfighting sector laments a tradition mortally wounded. Are we witnessing the end of bullfighting in Mexico City?

Mexico City bans the killing of bulls in bullfights | Picture: Pixabay

March 18, 2025, will be remembered as the day Mexico stopped spilling the blood of innocent animals in the bullring. In a session that began at 8 a.m., the local Congress approved—by a majority of 61 votes in favor, 1 against, and none abstaining—the bill that bans injuries, killing, and the use of sharp instruments in bullfighting shows. “This is the beginning of the end of bullfighting in Mexico City,” said Jesús Sesma, parliamentary coordinator of the Green Party.

Mexico City Congress

Despite hordes of bullfighting fans, cockfighters, and rodeo enthusiasts staging disgraceful acts of violence at the doors of Congress, the deputies acted as society demanded. Animal rights activists had to be escorted to the Angel of Independence to await the vote, as security forces were overwhelmed by the aggression of the reactionaries.

This marks the end of a long process that AnimaNaturalis and the member organizations of México Sin Toreo have promoted over the years. After a citizen initiative backed by 27,442 signatures, politicians could no longer ignore the issue. Although civil society demanded the total abolition of this macabre practice, the bill was modified by the head of government, Clara Brugada, to propose a version that did not completely eliminate bullfighting but did ban the blood, torture, and killing of the animal in the arena.

“It’s a giant step toward the extinction of these shows,” says Arturo Berlanga, representative of the International Anti-Bullfighting Network in Mexico and director of AnimaNaturalis México.

“Bullfighting fans have already said they won’t accept this regulation. Without blood, there’s no business.”

But not everyone sees light at the end of the tunnel.

“This is a disguised ban that will destroy jobs and traditions,” said Raúl Pérez Johnston, lawyer for Tauromaquia Mexicana.
“Without death, there’s no emotion. Without injuries, there’s no art,” he added.

 

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Between ethics and business

The debate is not only legal but moral. Many scientific studies confirm that fighting bulls experience extreme stress: cortisol levels spike by 400% during the fight.

“They are sentient beings, not objects of entertainment,” insists Berlanga, while reminding us that in 2022, Mexico City recognized animals as “subjects of rights” in its Constitution.

However, bullfighting supporters care little for the moral evolution of society and insist that it’s more important to maintain the supposedly 4,000 direct and 12,000 indirect jobs that Tauromaquia Mexicana claims depend on Plaza México. Also, without providing sources, the business sector continues to claim that this will mean a loss of 500 million pesos per year.

Brugada promised labor reintegration programs for affected workers but insisted that the bill is faithful to the Mexico City Constitution.

“What is the value of a culture built on suffering?” asks Sofía Morín of México Sin Toreo.
“Society no longer tolerates watching an animal die for applause.”

A recent Parametría poll revealed that 73% of Mexico City residents support a total ban. Meanwhile, the bullfighting sector threatens to defy the rule:

“No one will pay to see an untouched bull after 10 minutes of cape work,” says Jorge Arriaga, leader of Tauromaquia Mexicana.

Key points

These are the key points of the regulation:

• Injuries and killing of the bull are prohibited both inside and outside the bullring in “non-violent” bullfighting shows. The animal’s physical integrity must be protected.

• The horns of the bull or young bull must be protected to prevent injuries to other animals or people.

• After the non-violent bullfighting show, the bull or young bull must be returned to the ranch.

• The use of sharp instruments that cause wounds, injuries, or death is prohibited, including the pike, banderillas, sword, descabello, and puntilla. Only the cape and muleta are allowed.

• The maximum performance time for each bull or young bull is 10 minutes, with a limit of 6 animals per event.

• The fine will be 2,000 to 3,000 times the current unit of measure and update (UMA), i.e., from 226,280 pesos to 339,420 pesos per injured or dead animal.

For animal defenders, the reform is a milestone, but not the final goal.

“Today we celebrate that bulls will no longer die in Mexico City, but tomorrow we’ll keep working to eliminate all spectacles that normalize mockery, harassment, or exploitation of innocent beings,” emphasizes Berlanga.

Source: AnimaNaturalis México