In a recent CNN report, the potential return of bullfighting to Mexico City after a two-year absence has ignited protests from animal rights activists. This development evoked memories of a bullfight attended in Lima, Peru, a grand spectacle featuring a renowned Spanish matador.
Accompanied by my dear friend Rosa’s father, Guillermo, and his friend, the initial fights were shocking and sickening. The bullfighting team, including picadores on horseback, banderilleros, a mozo de espada, and the matador, swiftly dispatched the bulls, leaving me with a sense of unease.
The turning point came when the famous Spanish matador faced a giant bull. The bull, undeterred by lances and banderilleros, displayed extraordinary strength. Chaos ensued as the bull jumped into the crowd, only to return to the ring, capturing the audience’s attention.
When the matador entered, the performance took on an artistic quality as he danced with the bull. The crowd, initially cheering for a traditional ending, surprised me by demanding the bull’s pardon. Handkerchiefs flew into the ring, and the judge ultimately spared the bull’s life, eliciting cheers from 13,000 spectators.
The matador received honors, earning two ears and a tail from another bull. Despite this unique spectacle, the brutality and bloodshed during other fights left an indelible mark. I pledged never to witness another bullfight.
The controversy surrounding the potential resumption of bullfighting in Mexico City echoes the sentiments of organizations like PETA. Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is contemplating a referendum on the tradition’s future.
In reflection, I hope for a compassionate resolution, recognizing that age-old traditions should evolve when they involve unnecessary cruelty.
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