Tragic End at Colombia’s Bullfighting Festival
Man fatally gored during corraleja event in Fundacion.
A 35-year-old man, Yovanis Marquez, lost his life after being gored by a bull during a traditional "corraleja" festival in Fundacion, Colombia, on Saturday. A viral video circulating online captured the horrifying moment when Marquez, participating in the event, attempted a somersault near the bull, only to be charged and struck by its horns. The bull attacked again, tossing him into the air and inflicting fatal injuries.
Spectators, shaken by the incident, rushed to assist Marquez, who initially stood up after the first impact. "He seemed okay at first, but blood was pouring out," a witness told local media. Despite being quickly transported to a nearby hospital, Marquez was pronounced dead on arrival. The Colombian animal rights group Plataforma ALTO condemned the incident, stating, "The man died after being gored by an injured bull acting in self-defense during the municipality’s ‘festivities.’"
Corraleja festivals, unique to Colombia, involve public participants entering the ring to engage with bulls, unlike traditional Spanish bullfights. These events, though banned in many countries, remain legal in parts of Spain, Portugal, and France. In Colombia, a 2024 bill outlawing bullfighting will take effect in 2027, with a three-year transition period to support businesses reliant on such events in finding alternative livelihoods.
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The incident has reignited debates over the safety and ethics of corraleja festivals, with animal rights advocates calling for stricter regulations. As the video continues to spread online, it serves as a grim reminder of the risks involved in these controversial traditions.
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