A 35-year-old man has died after being gored by a bull during a corraleja — a controversial and often chaotic form of bullfighting that still takes place in some regions of Colombia — reigniting fierce debate over the practice as the country moves toward outlawing it entirely within the next few years.
The fatal incident occurred over the weekend in Fundación, a small town in the Magdalena region, where local festivities included one of these traditional but highly dangerous events. The victim, identified as Yovanis Márquez, had joined a crowd of shirtless participants who entered the ring to taunt and provoke the bull.
Mobile phone footage circulating on social media captures the harrowing moment the bull lunged toward Márquez, catching him squarely with its horns and throwing him violently into the air. The impact drew gasps from onlookers, with some seen rushing forward as the bull charged on.
Eyewitnesses described a scene that went from exuberant celebration to horror in seconds. One spectator told Colombian newspaper El Tiempo that Márquez initially appeared to recover: “He stood up as if he was fine, but the blood was flowing. It was only a few seconds before he fell to the ground.” Local media later confirmed that Márquez was taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Animal rights group Plataforma ALTO swiftly issued a statement condemning the event, calling Márquez’s death both tragic and entirely preventable. “The man passed away yesterday after being gored by an injured bull, in an act of self-defence, during the ‘festivities’ of the municipality,” the statement read. The organisation renewed its demand for the immediate prohibition of corralejas, declaring: “It is time to also say: NO MORE CORRALEJAS! Yes to prohibition, no to ‘regulations’.”
The Colombian Congress has already approved legislation to phase out all forms of traditional bullfighting, with a complete ban scheduled to take effect in 2027. The law includes a three-year transition period to allow communities, organisers, and businesses that rely financially on these spectacles to develop alternative sources of income.
Corralejas differ from Spanish-style bullfights in that the bull is typically not killed in the ring. However, the events are notorious for their unpredictability. Members of the public — often with no training and sometimes under the influence of alcohol — are allowed into the arena to dodge, provoke, and even attempt to ride the bulls. The combination of unrestrained crowds, agitated animals, and a lack of formal safety measures has led to frequent serious injuries and deaths.
Critics say the spectacle is not only inhumane but recklessly dangerous for both humans and animals. While the bulls are usually spared execution in the ring, they can be left injured and distressed, and are sometimes later slaughtered. Campaigners point to numerous examples of participants being gored or trampled, often in front of large audiences that include families and children.
Supporters of bullfighting in general — whether in Spain, Portugal, southern France, or Colombia — argue that it is a cultural tradition deeply embedded in local heritage, a performance blending art, bravery, and spectacle. In rural Colombian towns, corralejas are also seen by some as an important source of income, drawing visitors and fuelling local economies. But attitudes are shifting, particularly among younger generations and in urban areas, where animal welfare concerns take precedence over tradition.
Senator Esmeralda Hernández, author of the “No más Olé” bill that underpins the nationwide ban, has been one of the most vocal critics of corralejas. She has argued that the events belong to a bygone era and that Colombia must “move towards compassion” in its cultural celebrations. Her bill’s passage marked a turning point in the political conversation, signalling that the country’s leadership is now prepared to legislate against long-standing practices in the name of animal rights and public safety.
Saturday’s incident in Fundación has added urgency to those calls. Video evidence suggests Márquez may have been attempting a stunt — possibly trying to leap over the charging bull — when the fatal goring occurred. In such events, the line between thrill-seeking bravado and mortal danger is thin, and participants often underestimate the animal’s speed and strength.
Deaths in corralejas are far from rare. In some towns, fatalities or life-changing injuries occur almost every year, yet the events continue to draw large crowds, both locals and tourists, eager to witness the spectacle. Advocates for the ban argue that public fascination should no longer justify the risks.
For many Colombians, the image of Márquez standing briefly, blood streaming, before collapsing in the dirt has become another haunting reminder of the price of keeping the tradition alive. As Fundación reels from the tragedy, animal rights activists hope it will prove to be a tipping point — a moment when public opinion finally turns decisively against corralejas and their defenders.
Whether the latest death will accelerate the phase-out remains to be seen. But with the clock ticking toward 2027, the days of the corraleja as a staple of Colombian festivities are numbered. To some, that represents the loss of a cultural touchstone; to others, it’s the overdue end of a spectacle they see as cruel, dangerous, and tragically avoidable.