The Colombian Congress has passed a bill banning bullfighting in the Andean country from 2027.
The ban is the culmination of a vociferous campaign by animal rights activists, who have long argued the practice is cruel.
Bullfighting was introduced to Colombia by the Spanish during the colonial era and became very popular, attracting thousands of spectators to the large bullrings of cities like Bogotá, Medellín and Manizales.
The bill still needs to be signed by President Gustavo Petro, but since he supported the ban, it is considered a formality.
The president praised its approval by Congress, writing on
Supporters of bullfighting had protested the bill, saying it would deprive not only those who raise the bulls of their livelihoods, but also the many street vendors who sell their wares in the bullrings.
To mitigate its impact, the bill will provide for a three-year transition period during which those whose activities are linked to bullfighting will be offered assistance in finding alternative income.
The arenas will now be used for cultural and sporting events, the bill specifies.
Colombia is the last Latin American country to ban bullfighting.
Argentina, Cuba, and Uruguay banned the practice more than a century ago, and bans are also in effect in Brazil and Chile, among others.
However, it is still authorized in Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.
Mexico City imposed a ban in 2022, only to see it reversed two years later.
More than 40,000 people attended the first bullfight held in the city’s bullring, the largest in the world, since the ban was repealed.
In Europe, bullfights still take place in France and Spain, even if some cities have banned them.
