Roberto García Yuste, bullfighting and former president of the El Toro Association: “Madrid must continue to be the most rigorous square” | The bull, for the horns | Culture | EUROtoday
He is a satisfied and acknowledged bullfighting militant. She is married to Ester Arribas, keen on like him, and each are dad and mom of two ladies with bullfighting names, Verónica, 9 years outdated, and Lidia, about to show 6. In the household corridor grasp three bull heads, and all of the ornament components are carefully associated to the followers of the entire household, together with the small ones.
Roberto García Yuste (Madrid, 45 years outdated) left on January 25 his place as president of the El Toro Association of Madrid, after a decade of dedication on the head of a gaggle of 200 lovers excited concerning the integrity of the Bravo bull.
“I think mine is militancy, yes,” says García Yuste; “I go to sales since I was 7 years old, the bulls are part of my heart, and weird is the day that you do not read, see or speak of bulls. I consider myself, just like my wife, seasonal fan in Madrid, convinced that to know this party you have to go a lot to the square and listen to the veteran fans.”
He is an official of the Local Police within the Madrid city of Soto del Real, however says that his first vocation was that of bullfighter, though his desires of glory derived in a sensible fan that has rehearsed some crutches in entrance of a calf and actively participates within the well-liked celebrations.
“The greatest disgust of my presidential stage has been to verify the passage of the bullfighting sector, both of the company of Las Ventas and the Administrations”
But what he didn’t dress in mild has reached it as a speaker of a demanding interest.
“Our mission is based on three aspects that we have always considered fundamental,” says the already former president; “The demand, first of all, starting with ourselves, in the square, the communications, the gatherings, etc.; The claim, with banners, octavillas and our attitude in the laying; and independence with respect to the bullfights so as not to lose the freedom to express ourselves at every moment. And all this is summarized in the defense of the integrity of the show and the prominence of the protagonism of the Toro Bravo.”
Ask. Why have you ever determined to go away the presidency?
Answer. I used to be very clear. I stated that I’d go at one of the best second of the affiliation, and in life it’s a must to know how you can go away. The group enjoys financial stability at this time, has grown in quantity, and we’ve turn out to be a nationwide reference factor. And this has been attainable due to a superb board of administrators, which I name ‘my gang’, which has been concerned within the goals with a number of work and a robust dedication. In addition, the act of farewell has allowed me to stay one of many happiest moments of my life for the love I obtained from all colleagues.
P. What has you realized in these 10 years?
R. I’ve skilled excellent issues and have suffered some disappointment. I’ve been conscious that I had a privilege and duty place that has made me tougher as an beginner and as an individual. He has additionally compelled me to evolve, to check and, above all, to hear; and, consequently, be important, demanding and provide proposals for the sake of the Fiesta de los Bulls. The biggest disgust has been to confirm the passage of the bullfighting sector. We write letters to official bullfighting and don’t even reply us.
P. But you’ll acknowledge that the affiliation is an annoying group for the corporate that manages the Plaza de Las Ventas, for the Community of Madrid and the City Council of the capital.

A. Yes, and it have to be. Our mission is to be energetic defenders of the integrity of the Fiesta de los Toros, and for this we refer letters and request interviews from these accountable; But indifference is super. Years in the past Enrique López, then Minister of Presidency, Justice and Interior of Madrid, obtained and his perspective was chulesca and conceited. He identified that we have been solely 200 followers in a spot of greater than 20,000 spectators and 16,000 subscribers. And on one other event we maintained an interview with Carlos Núñez, then president of the union of breeders, and simply instructed us to raise the foot of the accelerator and weren’t so important of the farmers. And with the City Council, nothing.
P. But relations with President Isabel Díaz Ayuso are higher …
R. The president has answered us from time to time, however all the time with On high And he reminds us that there are various full within the sq. and that his authorities granted subsidies to the farmers on the event of the pandemic. By the best way, that the rocks and bullfighting associations obtained help for actions that the group has suppressed to derive them to the Toro de Lidia Foundation.
P. However, the businessman Rafael García Garrido has participated twice within the gatherings organized by the El Toro de Madrid Association …
R. This firm, Plaza 1, doesn’t have a detailed therapy or hearken to the fan, not like different occasions, with the Lozano brothers or the Choperitas, for instance, that earlier than beginning the 12 months they introduced collectively representatives of the followers, attended the proposals and defined their initiatives. García Garrido affords to speak to us as a result of what he doesn’t like are letters, which might learn all of them, neither banners nor protests within the sq..
“As in other laid, there are fans who sit in 7 and have no idea of bulls”
P. Protests and banners are many in laying 7, and most of the people relates them to the members of the El Toro Association.
R. There was born our affiliation in 1996, and there we adopted many, however there are members of El Toro within the different laying of the sq.. Some banners are ours and others. Sometimes they profit us and typically hurt us. I feel, generally, there’s a lack of pedagogy, particularly amongst youthful followers.
P. There are many followers of the laying 7 and eight that aren’t a part of the affiliation.
R. Yes, and plenty of who sit on these mendacity and do not know. As in different areas of the sq., there are good and dangerous followers.
P. But not a number of occasions all you intransigent …
R. We are demanding, however not uncompromising. The 7 demonstrates a sensitivity that different mendacity lacks. It doesn’t information us for the temper of bursting a celebration, however we do manifest ourselves in order that the sq. is revered, which is the elemental object of our claims. Sales should proceed to be probably the most demanding sq. as a result of it’s the mirror through which all of the others take a look at.
Q. By the best way, do you might have a favourite bullfighter?
A. I’m a supporter of the one who does it when he does. I may be very exhausting with a determine, but when at some point I actually although, I’ve no inconvenience in applauding him.
(From now on, this bullfighting weblog will probably be revealed biweekly).
https://elpais.com/cultura/el-toro-por-los-cuernos/2025-04-11/roberto-garcia-yuste-militante-taurino-y-expresidente-de-la-asociacion-el-toro-madrid-debe-seguir-siendo-la-plaza-mas-rigurosa.html