A man died this past weekend after being gored during a controversial bullfighting festival known as ‘corraleja’ in the small town of Fundación, Magdalena, Colombia.
As per reports, Yovanis Marquez, believed to be 35 years old, was part of a crowd at the festival on Saturday, August 9.
Video footage shows Marquez and numerous other individuals running towards the bull to participate in the event, which involves and promotes public engagement and, unlike traditional Spanish bullfights, doesn’t usually entail the bull being killed afterwards.
The festivals in question combine bullfighting with music and dance, while it’s considered the norm for spectators to interact with the bulls.
In a graphic clip that has since spread online, Marquez, topless, can be seen being tossed up in to the air by the bull’s horns.
Bullfighting is illegal in many parts of the world, but remains legal in most of Spain, Portugal, parts of France and certain other countries. The tradition is being fazed out in Colombia, with a full ban coming into effect in 2027.
Animal rights activists have long campaigned for a worldwide ban on bullfighting, which often leads to the death of the bull and can have serious consequences for the bullfighters or matadors.
In the footage from the weekend, Marquez can be seen charging at the bull and attempting to leap over it. The panicking animal responds by going on the attack, goring Marquez and flinging him up into the air.
After landing, Marquez can be seeing fleeing the bull while holding parts of his body.
Local reports claim that the 35-year-old died of his injuries after being rushed to hospital. Speaking to El Tiempo, one witness explained: “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.”
Animal rights group Plataforma ALTO, meanwhile, shared the clip of the incident on X, writing (in Spanish): “This is the moment when a man identified as Yovani Romo was struck by a bull at the corralejas in Fundación, Magdalena.
“The man passed away yesterday after being gored by an injured bull, in an act of self-defence, during the ‘festivities’ of the municipality.
“Last year, in Colombia, the ‘No más Olé’ law, authored by Senator Esmeralda Hernández, was passed, banning bullfights throughout the country.
“It is time to also say: NO MORE CORRALEJAS! Yes to prohibition, no to ‘regulations’.”
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