Colombia Congress Overwhelmingly Approves Ban Against Bullfighting

Colombia may soon ban the practice of bullfighting as its Congress just passed the bill to make the controversial practice illegal after seven years of repeated attempts to ban it. The ban was passed on Tuesday as views have shifted against the practice over the last few years.

The vote to ban bullfighting in Colombia had been a one-sided affair, as 93 lawmakers voted for prohibiting bullfights while only two lawmakers voted against the measure. Despite this, several political and social groups have vowed to maintain the practice because of its cultural value.

Like most former Spanish colonies, the practice of bullfighting, now considered a violent blood sport, is considered part of their cultural identity. However, more and more former Spanish colonies have now turned away or are starting to turn away from this, Colombia included.

"We do not believe that an expression of torture and barbarism can be considered cultural," lawmaker Juan Carlos Losada told Reuters, with the country's Congress complying with a request from the country's Constitutional Court to issue a definitive regulation on the matter.

Should the bill be passed into law, Colombia will join several other former Spanish colonies that have banned the practice, which many call "barbaric." The former Spanish colonial countries that now prohibit bullfighting where it was once legal include Argentina, Cuba, and the Philippines.

Colombians Still Divided Over Bullfighting Ban Despite Shifting Views

Currently, bullfighting is still technically legal in Colombia. However, the practice is still legal in Spain, France, Portugal, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador. Spain first introduced the practice to Colombia, with many Colombians still saying it is an "art form" and part of its culture.

Supporters claim that banning bullfights would "would obliterate an art form, deprive rural residents of a popular entertainment, and deny livelihoods to street vendors at bullfights." Critics of the ban also stated that these politicians who want to ban these bullfights are "trying to impose their beliefs on others."

However, public sentiment has been shifting against this practice as of late, with ethical concerns being raised by many in the populace.

"We are talking about living and feeling beings," said Senator Andrea Padilla in a statement to Euro News. "These are mammals with a nervous system that enables them to feel pain and suffering with the same intensity as humans... and who shouldn't be exposed to a slow and painful death."

Tens of Thousands of Spectators Often Watch Bullfighting Live in Colombia

While more and more people are finding the practice of bullfighting unacceptable, deeming the act of seeing an animal suffer for entertainment's sake to be "barbaric," bullfighting is still very much popular in Colombia, which has been doing it since colonial times.

According to ABC News, less than two dozen municipalities continue to hold these events, but these events still attract thousands of viewers. This is evident in the city of Manizales which still draws tens of thousands of spectators. How the ban would aggect these bullfights are still up for debate.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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