Ecuador: Cockfights Continue, Despite Referendum

According to ElUniverso.com only four of the eight-four cantons, located in the costal region of Ecuador, are allowed to perform cockfighting activities as a result of the referendum on May 7th. Only Esmeraldas, Montalvo, Valencia, and Las Lajas voted against question eight in the referendum. Therefore they are exempt from the prohibition. All the other provinces and cantons must begin amending or repealing the regulations that allow cockfights and bullfighting. These two activities are especially popular along the coast. In the cantons of Guayas and Manabi, which voted in favor of question eight, practices have to be changed toward cockfighting. As of now, there are still fights in some areas of these two cantons. Supporters of the cockfights say that the fights are a tradition that will last in Ecuador. However, authorities are going to regulate the new rules with force in the coming months.Read Article