Mexico City has officially banned traditional bullfights, replacing them with non-violent events where bulls will no longer face injury or death in the ring. The city’s congress voted in favor of this change after years of legal battles, marking a major victory for animal rights activists who had been pushing for a complete ban. Under the new rules, matadors will still perform but can only use capes to engage with the bulls, whose horns will be protected. The events will be limited to 15 minutes, after which the bulls will be returned to their ranches.
Supporters of the change see it as a step forward, balancing cultural traditions with evolving views on animal welfare. While the bullfighting industry argues that the ban threatens jobs and tradition, city officials believe it modernizes the practice while preserving economic activity. Animal rights groups, however, remain skeptical, predicting that the lack of bloodshed will reduce audience interest. Whether these new bloodless events will succeed remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Mexico City has taken a bold step toward rethinking its relationship with bullfighting.