BOGOTA, Colombia: Colombia's Constitutional Court on September 4 upheld a 2024 law banning bullfights across the country, while going a step further to strengthen animal rights by also prohibiting cockfighting nationwide.

Colombia's Congress passed the ban on bullfighting in May 2024 after months of heated debate. When President Gustavo Petro signed it into law, he declared that he could not "tell the world that killing living and sentient beings for entertainment is culture."

In its statement, the Constitutional Court confirmed it had rejected an appeal filed by bullfighting supporters, who argued that the legislation violated their rights to artistic expression. While the court did not provide detailed reasoning for its decision, it announced that the scope of the ban would be expanded to include cockfighting.

Under the law, bullfighting will be phased out gradually, with a complete prohibition scheduled for 2027 to allow time for transition. The court has now set a similar three-year timeline for cockfighting, meaning the activity must be entirely banned by 2028.

Although supporters of both activities may still request a review of the ruling, it remains uncertain whether they will pursue that option. The Colombian Cockfighting Federation has argued strongly against the prohibition, estimating that around 290,000 families rely on the activity for their livelihoods and claiming there are roughly one million enthusiasts nationwide. It urged Congress not to outlaw cockfighting, calling it an important cultural tradition.

Bullfighting, introduced to Colombia during Spanish colonial rule, has long been considered part of the country's heritage. However, its popularity has waned in recent years as public opinion has shifted in favor of stronger protections for animals.

Only seven countries—Spain, France, Portugal, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru—still allow bullfights internationally. Even within those nations, several municipal and regional governments have introduced local bans in response to growing opposition.