In a landmark move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has signed into law a ban on bullfighting, ending a practice that had been constitutionally recognized as part of the country’s culture. The announcement was made on Monday at the bullring in Bogota, which has been renamed the Santamaria Cultural Square. In front of a gathered crowd, including animal rights activists, Petro celebrated the end of what he termed the “right to kill” animals for entertainment.
“Culture, and even less the justice system, cannot say that it is culture to kill sentient beings, living creatures, for pleasure,” Petro declared, referencing a 2018 Constitutional Court ruling that had permitted bullfights in traditional venues. “If we have fun by killing an animal, we will have fun by killing human beings.”
The crowd chanted “No more ‘ole’!”, echoing the slogan used during the legislative process by supporters of the new law, which was passed by congress in late May. Luana Delgado, an influencer and anti-bullfighting activist, highlighted the significance of the ban being enacted at Bogota’s bullring, stating, “A place where you saw blood, where you saw death, now you will see culture.”
The legislation allows for the transformation of bullrings into cultural spaces or sports venues and will be enforced from 2027. This transition period aims to provide time to convert arenas and offer alternative employment to those dependent on bullfighting.
Jesus Merchan, an animal rights campaigner, celebrated the decision, stating, “Today, we put an end to a long history of suffering.”
Colombia joins other Latin American nations such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, and Uruguay in outlawing bullfighting. However, the practice continues in Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, and European countries including France, Spain, and Portugal.
Key Points:
- Historic Ban: Colombian President Gustavo Petro has enacted a law banning bullfighting, ending its constitutional recognition as part of the country’s culture.
- Significant Location: The announcement was made at Bogota’s bullring, now renamed the Santamaria Cultural Square, symbolizing the shift from a site of bloodshed to one of culture.
- Presidential Statement: Petro criticized the cultural justification for bullfighting, emphasizing that it is inhumane to kill sentient beings for pleasure.
- Public Support: The crowd, including animal rights activists, chanted “No more ‘ole’!”, a slogan used during the legislative campaign.
- Activist Perspective: Influencer and anti-bullfighting activist Luana Delgado highlighted the transformation of the bullring from a place of death to one of cultural significance.
- Future Changes: The law, effective from 2027, allows time to convert bullrings into cultural or sports venues and to find alternative employment for those affected by the ban.
- Regional Context: Colombia joins other Latin American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, and Uruguay in outlawing bullfighting, while the practice continues in Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, and parts of Europe.
- End of Suffering: Animal rights campaigner Jesus Merchan applauded the ban as the end of a long history of animal suffering.
