An upcoming bullfight in Mérida reignites the debate over animal cruelty and the right to longstanding tradition.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Mérida is preparing for the start of a new bullfighting season at the Plaza de Toros Mérida. The opening event is scheduled for Sunday.
The event will draw fans from across the region to watch a spectacle with deep historical roots in Mexico. However, the event also brings attention to a growing conflict; like elsewhere in Mexico and other countries where bullfighting is still practiced, in Mérida there is a fierce debate between those who view bullfighting as an art form and those who see it as animal cruelty. This controversy is currently unfolding not just in the state of Yucatán, but across the entire country.
“The cancellation of the 2025 season was a great victory, but now these butchers are back, arguing that tradition gives them the right to do whatever they want. We will fight it,” said animal rights advocate Susana Grivas.
The event is set to begin late in the afternoon. The lineup includes prominent figures in the sport, including the internationally known Sebastián Castella, Diego San Román, and local favorite André Lagravere Peniche, commonly known as El Galo.
The event will feature bulls brought in from the Boquilla del Carmen ranch. For El Galo, this is a very special performance. He has expressed a strong desire to win a major victory in his home city of Mérida before pursuing his larger career goals in Madrid, Spain.
The Legal Landscape in Mexico
Despite fan excitement, bullfighting faces serious legal challenges throughout Mexico. Animal welfare laws are changing rapidly. Currently, four Mexican states have explicitly banned bullfighting altogether. These states are Sinaloa, Sonora, Guerrero, Coahuila, Mexico City, and Quintana Roo.
Other states, such as Michoacán, are currently reviewing similar legal initiatives to ban the events completely. Animal rights organizations argue that the animals experience excessive pain and agonizing deaths, which they believe cannot be justified as cultural expression. Civil groups have even filed lawsuits, such as one by the organization Justicia Justa, to stop authorities from granting permits for these events in specific areas.
On the other hand, supporters of the tradition defend their right to hold these events. Legal experts defending the practice argue that bullfighting has a solid constitutional and legal foundation in Mexico as a cultural tradition. In states like the State of Mexico, bullfighting remains legal, and supporters emphasize the economic benefits. Industry advocates claim that bullfighting generates approximately 816 million pesos in taxes every year through ticket sales, municipal permits, and related tourism spending.
They also argue that the industry helps conserve the specific breed of fighting bulls, noting that most of the animals live in semi-freedom on ranches and never enter a ring.
The Push For Less Violent Events
To address the intense conflict between tradition and animal welfare, some regions are testing new laws. In March 2025, the Congress of Mexico City made a historic decision, approving a reform that allows bullfights only if they are completely free of violence. The law prevents killing the bull and prohibits cruelty during the spectacle.
It serves as a middle ground, allowing the cultural event to continue without the bloodshed that animal rights activists oppose. However, this compromise has not been adopted everywhere, and the traditional format is still practiced in places like Mérida.
Protests and the Local Situation
Tension over this issue is highly visible in Mérida. Recently, the local bullfighting community organized public demonstrations to defend their livelihoods and traditions.
On Aug. 30, about 300 people marched along Mérida’s famous Paseo de Montejo. This group included bullfighters, ranchers, industry workers, and enthusiastic fans. They organized this event to protest against the growing number of prohibitions targeting their industry.
The protesters shouted slogans demanding the freedom to choose, showing their strong resistance to any laws that might ban traditional bullfights in Yucatán. Meanwhile, citizens and animal rights groups continue pushing for legal reforms to end the practice.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht, PhD, is a journalist, photographer, and expedition leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada, and Norway. Most recently, he earned a doctorate in Heritage Studies in 2026.