Colombian bullfighters opposed to new ban say they'll keep at it

Colombian bullfighters opposed to the new ban against the centuries-old tradition say they'll keep practicing bullfighting.

Sebastián Caqueza says a new law to ban bullfighting in Colombia by mid-2027 will not dampen his passion for the sport that he has been practicing since has was a small boy.

Caqueza became a professional matador five years ago by taunting a fully grown bull for about 20 minutes and killing it with his sword, in a ceremony known as the Alternativa. Now, the 33-year-old says he will struggle to make a living as a bullfighter, but vows to do his best to stay in the centuries-old tradition.

“I will continue to participate in bullfights outside of Colombia,” said Caqueza. “And once bullfights are illegal in Colombia, we will stage them here anyway, because this is our passion and our life.”

“I will die a bullfighter” Caqueza said.

The legislation signed Monday by President Gustavo Petro places restrictions on bullfighting for a three-year transitional period and then imposes a full ban by mid-2027. It also orders the government to turn more than a dozen bullfighting arenas into concert halls and exhibition venues.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/colombian-bullfighters-oppose-ban-rcna163303

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