Bullfighting returns to Mexico City: Why it was banned and what is its contribution to economy?

Bullfighting is so closely associated with Mexico and it would be one of the things to check out on your list if you plan to visit the country. But the centuries-old practice had not been taking place in the capital, Mexico City, for over one year. That, however, is set to change now as bullfighting is expected to make a comeback this month at the world’s largest bullring - the 50,000-capacity Plaza de Toros. We take a look at why bullfighting was suspended in Mexico City, how it impacts the bulls and its contribution to the Mexican economy. Why bullfighting was suspended? The bullfighting in Mexico City was suspended in June 2022 after a judge ordered the indefinite suspension of the practice, agreeing with animal rights activists who had filed suit. The hiatus stemmed from a legal complaint brought by the organization Justicia Justa, which alleged that bullfights created an unhealthy environment by subjecting Mexico City residents to violence and animal cruelty. Justicia Justa’s push to end the controversial sport in Mexico is part of a global movement. While such fights are held in most of the country, they remain blocked by judicial measures in the states of Sinaloa, Guerrero, Coahuila and Quintana Roo, as well as in the western city of Guadalajara. Why will it be restarted? Bullfighting is set to return to Mexico City due to a Supreme Court ruling in December 2023 in which it revoked the decision to suspend the practice. Although according to Mexican media the judges only ruled on technical aspects and have yet to decide on the case’s merits. Nonetheless, on January 28, matadors in Mexico City will resume the tradition brought by Spanish conquistadors five centuries ago, Plaza de Toros director Mario Zulaica announced at a news conference. During the suspension, “thousands of people could not freely exercise their profession, a fundamental right enshrined in our constitution. Thousands of people were unable to enjoy their right to culture,” he said. Following the Supreme Court decision, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador proposed a referendum on the future of bullfighting in Mexico City. How bullfighting impacts the bull and its contribution to Mexican economy Globally, around 180,000 bulls are killed in bullfights every year, and even more are killed or injured in connected events like bull parties, according to Humane Society International. The organization claims “bulls suffer from a protracted death in the bullfighting arena, weakened and tormented both physically and mentally.” At the same time, bullfighting generates 80,000 direct jobs, and 146,000 indirect jobs across Mexico, according to figures of the National Association of Breeders of Fighting Bulls in Mexico. Overall the industry generates approximately $400 million a year. Mexico City’s massive bullfighting ring, Plaza Mexico, is considered the cathedral of Mexican bullfighting and is one of the three main bullrings in the world along with Las Ventas in Madrid and La Maestranza in Spain’s city of Seville. With agency inputs