Representatives of bullfighters, ranchers, and entrepreneurs in bullfighting in Mexico expressed their surprise and rejection for not being consulted about the proposal to modify the bullfighting regulations in Mexico City and establish bloodless bullfights. In a press conference, they demanded to be taken into account before advancing with the initiative in the Mexican capital, which directly affects Plaza México, the largest in the world.
The president of Mexican Bullfighting, Manuel Sescosse, stated that the sector was not invited to discuss the elimination of death and punishments in bullfights. Lawyer Salvador Arias, a specialist in bullfighting regulations, considered that the proposal did not include the main affected parties. This is despite the statement from the head of government of Mexico City, Clara Brugada, asserting that the proposal was the result of an agreement among all involved parties.
Sescosse expressed his opinion on the seven new proposed measures, including the prohibition of bullfights with violence and death either inside or outside the livestock, pointing out that these rules are not applied anywhere in the world. Arias noted that the idea was taken from the Balearic Islands in Spain, where it was repealed after two years for being deemed incompatible with the artistic expression that underpins bullfighting culture.
Additionally, business leader Mariano Del Olmo questioned the nomenclature of "bullfight" for these activities, insisting on the need for dialogue with the authorities. According to Arias, if the modifications were to materialize, adjustments would need to be made to the Animal Protection Law and the Public Entertainment Law, indicating that the improvisation of the proposal could leave room for future legal challenges.
Representatives of the bullfighting sector highlighted the economic and ecological impact of bullfighting in Mexico, where bullfights are held in 1,100 cities and attended by six million spectators. It was noted that 600 thousand hectares of biological diversity depend on the fighting cattle industry, warning that similar measures led to the end of bullfighting in Quito, Ecuador.
