Colombia’s House of Representatives approves a law banning bullfights
Colombia’s House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a bill banning bullfights in the country. This initiative has achieved 93 favorable votes after 14 postponements. The law will now go to conciliation because the texts approved in the Senate and the House are different, and then it will be sanctioned by the president.
A victory for animal advocates
Congressmen who pushed the bill have welcomed the decision. Senator Esmeralda Hernández, speaker of the bill in the Senate, expressed her joy and thanked everyone who contributed to this ban. The Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, who is anti-bullfighting, has also congratulated those who have managed to make death not a spectacle.
A three-year transition process
The new law establishes a three-year transition process for the ban on bullfights. During this time, work will be done on the identification of families living in the bullfighting sector and measures will be taken to facilitate their transition to other sectors such as commerce or tourism. The transformation of the bullrings is also planned to turn them into spaces for cultural and musical use.
A controversial debate
Bullfighting has been a controversial topic in Colombia’s political and legislative agenda in recent years. Although bullfights have traditionally been popular in the country, they have been losing fans and are currently only held in a few plazas such as La Santamaría in Bogotá, La Cañaveralejo in Cali and Plaça de Toros de Manizales. With this new law, Colombia sets an example to the whole world in the fight for a less violent and more civilized society.
