After the Mexico City Congress approved the holding of bloodless and non-violent bullfighting, the Plaza Mexico raised its voice in defense of the essence of bullfighting.
Through an official statement, the venue's operating company expressed its rejection of the initiative, pointing out that this measure represents a threat to a tradition with more than 500 years of history in Mexico. In the statement, Plaza Mexico emphasized that the removal of fundamental elements of the bullfight, such as the supreme act and the use of traditional instruments, completely distorts the spirit of the fiesta brava.
"Transforming bullfighting into an event without its natural essence is the first step towards its total disappearance," states the document. They warned about the negative effects this measure could have on the bullfighting ecosystem, including the disappearance of the fighting bull, whose life cycle is tied to the practice of bullfighting.
Plaza Mexico also called on the Congress and the Government of Mexico City to open an inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders: bullfighters, breeders, picadors, banderilleros, bullfighting businessmen, associations, and specialists in the field. "We were not consulted or heard in this process, so we demand a space to discuss alternatives that truly guarantee the continuity of our tradition without compromising its essence," they stated.
They reiterated their commitment to defending bullfighting and their willingness to find solutions that respect the culture, economy, and well-being of those who depend on this practice.
The decision of the capital's Congress ignited the debate between defenders of bullfighting and animal rights activists. The discussion remains open, and the fate of the fiesta brava in Mexico City could be defined in the coming days.
