A man lost his life this past weekend after being fatally injured during a corraleja, a controversial bullfighting-style festival held in Fundación, Magdalena, Colombia.
The victim, identified as 35-year-old Yovanis Marquez, was among dozens of participants who entered the arena on Saturday, August 9, to engage directly with the bull. Unlike traditional Spanish bullfights, corralejas encourage public involvement and typically end without killing the animal. The events mix bullfighting elements with music, dance, and an expectation that spectators interact with the bulls.
In widely circulated video footage, Marquez—shirtless—can be seen approaching the bull alongside other attendees. As he attempts to leap over the animal, the bull suddenly strikes, driving its horns into him and launching him into the air.
After hitting the ground, Marquez tried to run while clutching his injuries. Witnesses reported he initially appeared to recover, but blood loss quickly overwhelmed him. He was rushed to a hospital but later succumbed to his wounds. “He stood up as if he was fine, but the blood was flowing. Within seconds he collapsed,” one bystander told El Tiempo.
Bullfighting is banned in many parts of the world but remains legal in Spain, Portugal, parts of France, and a few other regions. In Colombia, however, the practice is being phased out, with a nationwide ban scheduled to take effect in 2027.
Animal rights advocates have long condemned corralejas and bullfighting more broadly, arguing that the tradition is both cruel to animals and dangerous to humans.
Este es el momento en que un hombre identificado como Yovani Romo fue alcanzado por un toro en las corralejas de Fundación, Magdalena.
El hombre falleció ayer tras ser corneado por un toro malherido, en un acto de defensa propia, en medio de las “fiestas” del municipio.
El año… pic.twitter.com/oe8oUIp0aD
— Plataforma ALTO (@PlataformaALTO) August 10, 2025
Plataforma ALTO, an activist group, shared the viral video of the incident on social media, identifying the victim as “Yovani Romo” and stating:
“This is the moment when a man…was struck by a bull at the corralejas in Fundación, Magdalena. He died after being gored by an injured bull, acting in self-defence, during the festivities.”
The group also called for an end to such events, declaring: “Last year, Colombia approved the ‘No más Olé’ law banning bullfighting nationwide. It’s time to also say: NO MORE CORRALEJAS! Yes to prohibition, no to regulation.”
