Andrea Padilla, the senator known for her activism in favor of animal rights, criticized the decision to tear down the statue of the bullfighter César Rincón in the city of Duitama, Boyacá. According to the congresswoman, this act offended a sector of the population and she considers that it was an unnecessary action that polarizes Colombian society.
The controversy arose when the mayor of Duitama, José Luis Bohórquez, together with Senator Esmeralda Hernández, of the Historical Pact, decided to tear down the statue of the renowned Colombian bullfighter.which had been installed in 2012 at the entrance to the city’s bullring.
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The statue commemorated Rincón’s achievements as a bullfighter and rancher, leaving Colombia’s name high internationally during the 1990s, a complex period for the country due to drug trafficking violence and how little was known about the nation. Outside it showed a murky panorama. In that context, sectors that, although they support the prohibition of bullfighting, reject acts that promote hatred against certain peopleso they gave their support to the reaction of the senator, recognized for her fight for the care and protection of animals.
In his statement, Padilla stated: “I believe this action was unnecessary. They were able to take down the statue calmly, without needing to offend a sector of Colombians or, better yet, leave it to remember the past and not repeat it, attaching a plaque in memory of the murdered bulls. “I think those who did this are wrong: they sow resentment and waste resources on populist acts.”
In this sense, the congresswoman highlighted the need for public funds to be used for the effective implementation of laws in favor of animals and for the development of programs aimed at the construction of care centers for wild animals and the replacement of transportation vehicles. animal traction.
Likewise, the congresswoman called to maintain peace and not let these types of acts divert attention from crucial issues. “Let acts such as the one that occurred in Duitama not distort the fight for animal rights, which is, in essence, peaceful.; nor divert us from what is important: the implementation of the law that prohibits bullfighting,” Padilla asserted.
Furthermore, it is expected that the bullring transformation plan announced by Social Prosperity will be an effective measure and not an unnecessary waste of public resources. Defenders insist on the importance of these actions having a real and positive impact on the life and well-being of animals in the country.
“I hope that the transformation plan for the bullrings that has been announced by @ProsperidadCol is not a waste of public resources“: resources that we need to implement the #EsterilizarSalva law, to replace animal traction vehicles, to build care centers for wild animals, and for a very long list of actions that will save animal lives,” the senator concluded.
The measure to tear down the statue has been celebrated by some animal rights groups, while others reject it considering that César Rincón, in his time, gave international recognition to Colombia through bullfighting, an activity permitted at that time. Finally, it is worth mentioning that Mayor Bohórquez faces a temporary suspension process by the Council of State due to an accusation of double militancy. Although the suspension was ordered on March 24, 2024, Bohórquez has resorted to various legal strategies to remain in office.
