Colombia bans bullfighting - only 7 countries still allow it
Listen to the story (Filipino accent)
Colombia has approved a new law to stop bullfights. Animal rights activists are very happy about the law.
Some people in Colombia like bullfights and say they were special. Others say the bullfights are not nice to the bulls.
On Tuesday, almost all lawmakers in Colombia decided that bullfights should not happen anymore. Only two people said ‘no’.
Now, the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, needs to agree to this new rule. He seems happy about the change and congratulated the people who helped write the new law.
When this new rule starts, people who earned money from bullfights will get help from the government for three years to find different jobs.
Only eight countries, including Colombia, still have bullfights. Other countries are France, Portugal, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Spain, and Venezuela. In these places, many people still go to see bullfights. However, there are also many people who are against bullfights. The bullfights are controversial.
In Colombia, supporters of bullfights say that it is an art. It’s also an important business for people who raise bulls and sell things around the bullfight arenas.
Animal rights activists say bullfights are very mean and painful for the bulls.
Lawmaker Alejandro Garcia said that they want to make sure all animals are treated well. Another lawmaker, Juan Carlos Losada, said that hurting animals should not be called culture.
Some places in South America, like Brazil and Argentina, have already stopped bullfights. Now, Colombia is joining them in making this change.
Vocabulary23 words
- Approve
- officially agree; accept; to say “yes”; authorize
- Law
- a rule, regulation, or guideline set by the government
- Bullfight
- A show or event where people watch a person fight a bull;
- Animal rights activist
- Someone who works to protect and help animals
- Activist
- Someone who tries to make changes in the world;
- Lawmaker
- a person, usually a politician, who makes laws; legislator;
- Decide
- to choose something; make a choice from many different options; select
- President
- A person who is in charge of a country or a company; the top person/leader of a company or country
- Congratulate
- To tell someone you're happy for their success; to tell someone “good job”
- Rule
- A guideline or regulation; sometimes a law; A guide that tells us what we should or shouldn’t do
- Earn
- to get something (usually money) because you worked, sold something, or helped someone; to receive
- Government
- the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Include
- to contain; incorporate; to be part of; to have something smaller as a part of it; come with
- Against
- in opposition to something; to fight; to resist; to try to stop; the opposite of “support”
- Controversial
- something that causes a lot of disagreement or discussion;
- Supporter
- Someone who likes and helps a person or idea; Someone who agrees with something
- Art
- Something made to be beautiful or interesting; Making or doing things that are beautiful or express ideas
- Raise
- To take care of a child or animal until it is grown up
- Arena
- A big place where people go to see sports and shows
- Painful
- Something that hurts
- Treat
- to act or behave toward something/someone in some special way; handle; manage
- Culture
- The beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a group of people; The way of life of a group of people
- Join
- To become a part of or be included in a group or organization
Quiz
Answer key
1. Animal rights activists 2. Congratulated people 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Colombia has _____ a new law to stop bullfights. Animal rights activists are very happy about the _____.
Some people in Colombia _____ bullfights and say they were special. Others say the bullfights are not _____ to the bulls.
On a Tuesday, _____ all lawmakers in Colombia decided that bullfights should not _____ anymore. Only two people said ‘no’.
_____, the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, needs to agree to this _____ rule. He seems happy about the _____ and congratulated the people who helped write the new law.
_____ this new rule starts, people who earned money from bullfights _____ get help from the government for three years to find different jobs.
Only _____ countries, including Colombia, still have bullfights. Other countries are France, Portugal, _____, Ecuador, Peru, Spain, and Venezuela. In these _____, many people still go to see bullfights. However, there are also _____ people who are against bullfights. The _____ are controversial.
In Colombia, _____ of bullfights say that it is an art. It’s also an important business for people who _____ bulls and sell things around the bullfight _____.
Animal rights activists _____ bullfights are very mean and painful for the bulls.
_____ Alejandro Garcia said that they want to make sure all animals are treated _____. Another lawmaker, Juan Carlos Losada, said that hurting _____ should not be called culture.
Some places in South America, like Brazil and _____, have already stopped bullfights. Now, Colombia is joining them in _____ this change.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think some people say bullfights are special?
- Do you believe that bullfights should be considered an art? Why or why not?
- Should traditions and culture be changed if they hurt animals?
- How can people who lose their jobs because of new laws be helped?
More Entertainment stories
Next story · Medium
Google’s AI tool gives dangerous advice