03-04-2025
On April 2, the Congress of the state of Michoacán (Mexico) voted to ban bullfighting, making Michoacán the sixth Mexican state to do so. In March, Mexico City also banned traditional bullfighting.
Michoacán (Mexico) bans bullfighting
The bill was approved with 19 votes in favor, 9 against, and 8 abstentions. Bullfighting and other animal cruelty spectacles are still allowed in 25 other states in Mexico. Bullfighting had already been banned in Sonora, Guerrero, Coahuila, Quintana Roo, and Sinaloa.
Ban in Michoacán
The bill, introduced by Representative Giulianna Bugarini (from the left-wing, progressive political party Morena), amended Articles 67 and 68 of the Animal Rights, Welfare, and Protection Law. The exceptions for bullfighting, running of the bulls, and novilladas (bullfights with young bulls) were removed.
According to 2023 data from the INEGI (National Institute of Statistics and Geography), there are 24.8 million cows and bulls of the breed used for bullfighting in Mexico. However, only 5.5% of the bred fighting bulls are used for arena spectacles. In Michoacán, there were only three bullfights annually, with revenue under 500,000 MXN (€22,630).
What does the new law entail?
The bill introduces two major changes to the Animal Rights, Welfare, and Protection Law:
Article 67: It is prohibited to incite animals to fight and turn these confrontations into public or private spectacles. Activities like charrerías (a horseback sport), jaripeos (a type of rodeo), and cockfighting remain allowed, provided they comply with existing regulations.
Article 68: A strict ban is placed on any spectacle or event where the main purpose is entertainment at the expense of bloodshed, physical suffering, or the death of animals. This includes fights between any species, bullfighting, novilladas, encierros (running of the bulls), and other similar events.
The Michoacán Sin Tauromaquia organization and the México Sin Toreo (Mexico without Bullfighting) coalition have worked intensely to achieve the bullfighting ban. CAS International is a member of México Sin Toreo and is very pleased with the ban in Michoacán. Estefanía Pampin Zuidmeer, CAS International campaigner, stated:
“Michoacán is one of the few Mexican states with a long tradition of bullfighting. Nevertheless, it has succeeded in banning it. The majority of the population in Michoacán is against bullfighting, and it is seen by many as part of the colonial past. It is good that the Congress of Michoacán listened to the opinion of its own people.”
In Mexico, 73% of the population considers bullfighting to be animal cruelty (Reforma Diario, 2019).
Ban on traditional bullfighting in Mexico City
On March 18, the Congress of Mexico City voted to ban the mistreatment and killing of bulls during bullfights. This ends traditional bullfighting in the largest bullfighting arena in the world. This decision is an important step in animal protection and a shift towards a more animal-friendly policy. It follows a citizen initiative by México Sin Toreo for a complete ban, while the governing party Morena presented a proposal for bloodless bullfights. The bullfighting sector saw no future in this form, which will likely lead to the extinction of bullfighting in Mexico City.
Help us so we can continue with our impactful campaigns! Become a sponsor or make a donation.
