Letter from Mexico City
A small revolution unfolded within Mexico City's congress on March 18, a development that could likely spread across the country. On that day, despite protests from bullfighting professionals, 61 members of Mexico City's parliament approved the legal concept of "bullfighting without violence," with only one lawmaker opposing.
Congress was supposed to vote on a complete ban of bullfighting, following the lead of five Mexican states – Quintana Roo, Guerrero, Sonora, Coahuila, Sinaloa. However, Mayor Clara Brugada proposed a significant amendment to avoid economic and social harms to workers both inside and outside of Plaza Mexico, selling trinkets and food on bullfight days. The arena is the world's largest with 44,000 seats – double that of Las Ventas in Madrid. On bullfight days, the area is cordoned off due to the influx of spectators.
The new mayor, who succeeded President Claudia Sheinbaum, drew inspiration from experiments more or less successful in Portugal and parts of Spain (Catalonia and the Balearic Islands), the country that brought bullfighting to Mexico in the 16th century. In Mexico City, bullfights will occur without the killing of the animal or the use of sharp instruments (spears and harpoons) that injure the bull.
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