Tradition vs. Torture: The Legal Battle Over Chile’s National Rodeo

Following President José Antonio Kast’s visit to the National Rodeo Championship, activists argue the "national tradition" constitutes illegal animal torture.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 4, 2026, 5:57 AM EDT

Source: Havana Times

The Legal Conflict: Law 20.380 vs. The Penal Code

At the heart of the controversy is a contradiction in Chilean law. While Law 20.380 (Animal Protection) provides a specific exception for rodeo as a "sporting activity," critics argue that the Penal Code—which prohibits animal abuse and acts of cruelty—should hold higher legal authority.

Andrés Kogan Valderrama, writing for Havana Times, argues that the violence inherent in the arena—where animals are pinned against walls and subjected to physical trauma—amounts to state-sanctioned torture. "A higher-ranking, general law should prevail," Valderrama asserts, calling for an explicit legal prohibition and prison sentences for those involved in rodeo.

Political Legitimacy under the Kast Administration

The presence of President José Antonio Kast at the Rancagua finals has been seen as a clear endorsement of traditionalist values. Government speeches during the event emphasized rodeo as a source of "pride" and "national identity."

However, this political support has deepened the divide between the administration and animal rights organizations. Advocates point to scientific evidence linking animal abuse to later violence against human beings, suggesting that preserving "supposed traditions" comes at a significant social cost to Chilean empathy and safety.