Paraguay Senate ratifies bullfighting heritage bill, sends it back to Deputies

Lawmakers in Paraguay are considering a bill to declare bullfighting, known locally as "torín," a traditional and cultural heritage of the country. The bill has passed the Senate with modifications and returned to the Chamber of Deputies.

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It's a spectacle; they are acrobatic numbers. Comparing, a 70-kilo person, what can they do to an animal of about 700 to 800 kilos?

Members of the Association of Bullfighters, Humorists, and Affiliates of Paraguay are advocating for the Senate's version of the bill. They aim for bullfighting to be recognized as heritage, not just a popular festival. The proposal also includes establishing November 5th as the "Day of the Paraguayan Bullfighter," though this aspect may have been altered in the Chamber of Deputies.

Supporters argue that declaring "torín" as heritage would protect the livelihoods of those involved, preventing potential interventions that could lead to economic hardship. They emphasize that the Paraguayan practice differs significantly from Spanish bullfighting, asserting that animals are not stabbed or killed.

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Mutual respect; we depend on the animals. They are part of our lives, our culture; we love the animals.

"It's a spectacle; they are acrobatic numbers. Comparing, a 70-kilo person, what can they do to an animal of about 700 to 800 kilos?" stated Denis Giménez, the association's treasurer. He further explained that bullfighters depend on the animals and consider them part of their culture, asserting "mutual respect" and "love for animals."

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In Deputies, they left us with nothing.