Mexico City Ends Centuries-Old Bullfighting Tradition in Landmark Vote

In a historic decision on March 18, 2025, lawmakers in Mexico City voted overwhelmingly — 61 in favor, 1 opposed — to ban the killing of bulls and the use of sharp instruments in bullfights. cas-international.org+2Reuters+2 This move effectively ends nearly 500 years of traditional bullfighting in the capital, marking a watershed moment in the city’s cultural and ethical history. cas-international.org+1

What the New Law Does

Under the new legislation:

• Bulls may no longer be killed or wounded during bullfighting shows, whether inside or outside the ring. Humane World for Animals+2KPBS Public Media+2

• Matadors are prohibited from using swords, spears, or any sharp objects. Only capes (capote or muleta) may be used. enca.com+2optimistdaily.com+2

• The duration that a bull can spend in the ring is strictly limited (for example, to about 15 minutes). Deutsche Welle+2Mexico News Daily+2

• After each event, bulls must be returned to the farms/ranches where they originated rather than being slaughtered. Humane World for Animals+2antibullfighting.org+2

In effect, the capital has replaced “traditional bullfights” with a new model often described as “bloodless” or “violence-free bullfighting.” cas-international.org+2optimistdaily.com+2

Reaction: Relief for Animal Welfare Advocates

Animal rights organizations and activists hailed the vote as a landmark victory. According to statements from Humane World for Animals Mexico (formerly Humane Society International/Mexico), the reform ends the in-ring death and maiming of bulls — long condemned as cruel and unnecessary for entertainment. Humane World for Animals+2antibullfighting.org+2

“This is a major step toward eradicating the torment and killing of animals for entertainment,” said Anton Aguilar, the group’s executive director. Humane World for Animals+1 The initiative is widely viewed as a shift toward a more compassionate, modern understanding of animal rights and public morality.

For many supporters of animal welfare, the decision symbolizes a long-overdue end to a show built around violence — and a sign that deeply rooted traditions can evolve.

Backlash: Tradition, Culture, and Economic Concerns

But the vote also drew fierce reactions from traditionalists: bullfighting fans, matadors, and industry stakeholders who consider it an essential part of cultural heritage. Outside the local legislature building, protests broke out; some demonstrators attempted to breach police barricades, carrying banners proclaiming their pride in the tradition. Deutsche Welle+2KPBS Public Media+2

Critics argue that bullfighting is more than a spectacle — it is a cultural institution, a living tradition with roots deep in the city’s colonial past. Ending it, they claim, represents a loss of heritage and identity. SCMP+1

Economic arguments feature prominently as well. According to reports cited in international coverage, the bullfighting industry supported tens of thousands of jobs and generated substantial revenue. Deutsche Welle+2enca.com+2 For many livelihoods dependent on breeding bulls, organizing events, running bullrings (including Plaza México, the world’s largest bullring located in Mexico City), and tourism tied to “fiestas bravas,” the ban threatens considerable economic disruption. enca.com+2SCMP+2

Some in the bullfighting community also argue that the spirit of “bloodless bullfighting” misses the point — for them, bullfighting’s danger, ritual and finality have aesthetic and cultural meaning that cannot be replicated with a sanitized version. KPBS Public Media+1

A Turning Point Between Heritage and Evolving Values

This sweeping reform in Mexico City reflects a deeper, evolving tension across societies that cherish long-standing traditions while increasingly embracing modern ethical standards. By outlawing violence and death in bullrings, the city’s government, supported by local activists and a growing public consensus, is signaling that certain practices — though historically rooted — can no longer be justified solely on the basis of culture or entertainment.

Yet, the compromise nature of the ban — allowing “bloodless” bullfights instead of a total prohibition — also underscores the complexity of balancing tradition, economy, and morality. As one lawmaker put it, the goal was not “to make bullfighting disappear, but to evolve.” Reuters+1

For now, bulls in Mexico City will still take the ring — but without suffering or death. Whether this “modernized tradition” will satisfy both cultural enthusiasts and animal-welfare advocates remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that March 18, 2025, will be remembered as a turning point — a moment when values shifted, and cruelty as public “entertainment” lost its legal protection.

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If you like, I can also add a brief global context — showing how this decision aligns with other recent bans or reforms on bullfighting and similar spectacles in other countries (e.g. Colombia, some European cities). Do you want me to include that?