Juan Sebastián Gómez, representative to the Chamber for the New Liberalismspoke this Wednesday with LA PATRIA Radio about the bill that is being voted on today in Congress and aims ban bullfighting in Colombia. This he said:
What is your position?
When you are in Congress you end up voting yes or no. People like to listen to it. I’m going to vote yes. That has been my position in the Manizales Council and the Caldas Assembly. However, I am glad that the project proposes transition times that recognize cultural themes that arise from all bullfighting themes. They have been part of the history of our city and our idiosyncrasy and it is not about denying it.
They have not seen me being aggressive against people who engage in these practices. I even have a story in my family that has to do with bulls. I know how important it is for the city in terms of the Fair, although I would not reduce the Manizales Fair by saying that it is only bulls, but without a doubt it is one of the most important shows and what gave it its origin. That will be my position today.
Why does the project focus only on bullfights and not include other activities such as coleus, cockfights and corralejas?
I am against cockfights, betta fish, horses, corralejas and those demonstrations where animals are mistreated. I have no double talk with that. Today there is one about bullfighting exactly and it must be said: those who made the project made the calculation of going step by step because if they put everything into me they will surely not be able to carry out the project, which is what has been happening in Congress. In that sense, I maintain myself and I believe that there are people who vote for me because I have had a stance in defense of animals, but I make a huge difference because yesterday it was stated that the issue of fighting bulls was an agricultural issue and not a culture. It is a topic related to the topic of cultures and traditions.
Could judicial action stop the processing of what is approved today?
As a lawyer, I am not opposed to anyone using the legal mechanisms that the Constitution and the law have. That’s what it’s about. I am a person who believes in institutions and legal avenues. 3 guardianship actions have arrivedbut no judge of the Republic has accepted that the process be suspended as a precautionary measure.
What is your position on the fact that the Manizales Fair is only bullfighting?
Today we have a mayor who makes decisions and actions so that we have time. It is not just about rethinking the Manizales Fair because we have said that all our lives, but about promoting other activities. The Fair has been powerful and powerful when it brings great artists to the Fair concert. Unfortunately, the last Administration did not do well until that concert, but the Fair has an important sports and cultural component. The events where people attend the most are the parades and they must be taken to a high level with many cultural proposals. Now that we have the Municipal Culture Secretariat so that the Manizales Fair not only maintains its level and also grows and it is not said that the Manizales Fair depends on a show.
This is not a debate between good and evil. It is a very personal topic. There is nothing more difficult than legislating on personal issues such as abortion and euthanasia. These are issues that concern the citizen and not the establishment. They are debates that have to have the greatest respect for people’s tastes. Today I will praise how the bullfighters of Caldas have respectfully defended an initiative that is important to them and that is the duty of democracy in our country.
Listen to the full interview here:
