<p>Colombia's Congress passed a bill on Tuesday (May 28) banning bullfighting, a controversial and quite popular activity in the South American country.</p>

<p>Colombian lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the bill banning bullfighting starting&nbsp;in 2027.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>President Gustavo Petro, a longtime opponent of the practice, praised their decision, emphasising his belief that animal cruelty shouldn't be entertainment.</p>

<p>The law would bring Colombia in line with other countries in the region that have banned bullfighting, including Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Guatemala.</p>

<p>The ban would require the government to introduce programmes to help the estimated tens of thousands of people who rely on bullfighting, directly or indirectly, for their income transition to new employment opportunities.</p>

<p>It would also have to adapt the country's arenas for other sporting and cultural activities.</p>

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<p>Lawmaker and environmentalist Juan Carlos Losada called the move a historical milestone.</p>

<p>Notably, in 2018, the Constitutional Court recognised bullfights as part of Colombia's cultural tradition.</p>

<p>But Bogota, the capital and a historic centre for bullfighting in the Americas, had already banned the harming and killing of bulls, effectively neutering the core violence of the spectacle and aiming to phase it out entirely.</p>

<h2><strong>A symbol of identity</strong></h2>

<p>The city of Medellin has also imposed limitations, but bullfighting remains popular in cities like Cali and Manizales.</p>

<p>Lawmakers supporting the ban argued that bullfighting represents one of the most controversial elements of Spanish colonialism, while the practice is against constitutional rights to a healthy environment, human dignity and the recognition of animals as sentient beings due protection.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-eyes-on-rafah-picks-up-steam-on-social-media-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-its-origins-726573">'All Eyes On Rafah'&nbsp;picks up steam on social media. Here's all you need to know about its origin</a></p>

<p>The parliamentary vote came after a public debate that included local leaders, representatives from the cattle industry, bullfighting organisers, and representatives from animal rights groups.</p>

<p>According to the bullfighter, there are approximately 300 events held annually at around 70 locations in Colombia.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Colombia's Congress passed a bill on Tuesday (May 28) banning bullfighting, a controversial and quite popular activity in the South American country. Colombian lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the bill banning bullfighting starting in 2027.

Colombia's Congress passed a bill on Tuesday (May 28) banning bullfighting, a controversial and quite popular activity in the South American country. Colombian lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the bill banning bullfighting starting in 2027. Also read: Czech billionaire to acquire Britain’s 500-year-old ‘Royal Mail’ President Gustavo Petro, a longtime opponent of the practice, praised their decision, emphasising his belief that animal cruelty shouldn't be entertainment. The law would bring Colombia in line with other countries in the region that have banned bullfighting, including Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Guatemala. The ban would require the government to introduce programmes to help the estimated tens of thousands of people who rely on bullfighting, directly or indirectly, for their income transition to new employment opportunities. It would also have to adapt the country's arenas for other sporting and cultural activities. Also read: UFOs spotted! Now Japan's parliamentary group will figure out what they are Lawmaker and environmentalist Juan Carlos Losada called the move a historical milestone. Notably, in 2018, the Constitutional Court recognised bullfights as part of Colombia's cultural tradition. But Bogota, the capital and a historic centre for bullfighting in the Americas, had already banned the harming and killing of bulls, effectively neutering the core violence of the spectacle and aiming to phase it out entirely. A symbol of identity The city of Medellin has also imposed limitations, but bullfighting remains popular in cities like Cali and Manizales. Lawmakers supporting the ban argued that bullfighting represents one of the most controversial elements of Spanish colonialism, while the practice is against constitutional rights to a healthy environment, human dignity and the recognition of animals as sentient beings due protection. Also read: 'All Eyes On Rafah' picks up steam on social media. Here's all you need to know about its origin The parliamentary vote came after a public debate that included local leaders, representatives from the cattle industry, bullfighting organisers, and representatives from animal rights groups. According to the bullfighter, there are approximately 300 events held annually at around 70 locations in Colombia. (With inputs from agencies)

Colombia Congress votes to ban bullfighting

<p>The partial collapse of the grandstand at a bullring in Columbia has left four dead and more than 300 injured. The popular event, during which members of the public face-off with small bulls, was being held on the feast day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.</p>

<p>A full three-story section of wooden stands filled with spectators can be seen toppling forward into the ring and throwing dozens of people to the ground in several videos posted on social media.</p>

<p>The videos showed a bull roaming in the arena while were people trying to escape from the stands but were unable to do so because of the rush and chaos.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Espero que todas las personas afectadas por el derrumbe de la plaza de El Espinal puedan salir airosas de sus heridas.<br />
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Esto ya había sucedido antes en Sincelejo.<br />
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Le solicito a las alcaldías no autorizar más espectáculos con la muerte de personas o animales. <a href="https://t.co/dMAq6uqlKX">pic.twitter.com/dMAq6uqlKX</a></p>
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) <a href="https://twitter.com/petrogustavo/status/1541138473532493826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>After the accident in the town of El Espinal, Tolima provincial governor Jose Ricardo Orozco told local Blu Radio that "There are four dead at this moment - two women, a man, and a minor."</p>

<p>Adding that he did not know exactly what the stand was constructed with but it appeared to be wooden boards, Vellez said ambulances were sent from the nearby cities of Ibague and Melgar to help the injured.</p>

<p>Expressing his solidarity with the families of those killed and hurt., Colombia's outgoing President Ivan Duque said on Twitter "We will request an investigation of the facts about what happened."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Sentimos la terrible tragedia registrada en El Espinal, Tolima, durante las fiestas de San Pedro y San Juan, por desplome de palcos en una corraleja. Pediremos una investigación de los hechos; pronta recuperación a los heridos y solidaridad con las familias de las víctimas.</p>
— Iván Duque 🇨🇴 (@IvanDuque) <a href="https://twitter.com/IvanDuque/status/1541162041368612864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Saying they were dangerous and promoted animal abuse, Orozco said the departmental government would move to ban the so-called "corralejas" in which residents try their luck in the ring.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-is-gustavo-petro-the-ex-guerilla-whos-top-contender-for-colombia-president-483749">Also see |&nbsp;Who is Gustavo Petro, the ex-guerilla who's Colombia's first leftist leader</a></strong></p>

<p>Joining Orozco in calling for the amateur bullfights to be banned, President-Elect Gustavo Petro, who will take office on August 7, highlighted that he had put a stop to bullfights in Bogota when he was its mayor.</p>

<p>Bullfights and cock fights are protected because of the cultural history behind them in Columbia even though animal abuse is a crime in the country. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Watch WION's live TV here:</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The partial collapse of the grandstand at a bullring in Columbia has left four dead and more than 300 injured. The popular event, during which members of the public face-off with small bulls, was being held on the feast day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

The partial collapse of the grandstand at a bullring in Columbia has left four dead and more than 300 injured. The popular event, during which members of the public face-off with small bulls, was being held on the feast day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. A full three-story section of wooden stands filled with spectators can be seen toppling forward into the ring and throwing dozens of people to the ground in several videos posted on social media. The videos showed a bull roaming in the arena while were people trying to escape from the stands but were unable to do so because of the rush and chaos. Espero que todas las personas afectadas por el derrumbe de la plaza de El Espinal puedan salir airosas de sus heridas. Esto ya había sucedido antes en Sincelejo. Le solicito a las alcaldías no autorizar más espectáculos con la muerte de personas o animales. pic.twitter.com/dMAq6uqlKX — Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) June 26, 2022 × After the accident in the town of El Espinal, Tolima provincial governor Jose Ricardo Orozco told local Blu Radio that "There are four dead at this moment - two women, a man, and a minor." Adding that he did not know exactly what the stand was constructed with but it appeared to be wooden boards, Vellez said ambulances were sent from the nearby cities of Ibague and Melgar to help the injured. Expressing his solidarity with the families of those killed and hurt., Colombia's outgoing President Ivan Duque said on Twitter "We will request an investigation of the facts about what happened." Sentimos la terrible tragedia registrada en El Espinal, Tolima, durante las fiestas de San Pedro y San Juan, por desplome de palcos en una corraleja. Pediremos una investigación de los hechos; pronta recuperación a los heridos y solidaridad con las familias de las víctimas. — Iván Duque 🇨🇴 (@IvanDuque) June 26, 2022 × Saying they were dangerous and promoted animal abuse, Orozco said the departmental government would move to ban the so-called "corralejas" in which residents try their luck in the ring. Also see | Who is Gustavo Petro, the ex-guerilla who's Colombia's first leftist leader Joining Orozco in calling for the amateur bullfights to be banned, President-Elect Gustavo Petro, who will take office on August 7, highlighted that he had put a stop to bullfights in Bogota when he was its mayor. Bullfights and cock fights are protected because of the cultural history behind them in Columbia even though animal abuse is a crime in the country. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Watch | Collapse of bullring leaves four dead, hundreds injured in Colombia

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Colombia Congress votes to ban bullfighting

Watch | Collapse of bullring leaves four dead, hundreds injured in Colombia