Spanish leftist leader says Trump denied her visa to Puerto Rico over Gaza activism
Barcelona’s former mayor Ada Colau has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of preventing her from attending a summit in Puerto Rico due to her pro-Palestinian activism. Colau, who leads Spain’s left-wing Broad Front coalition ahead of the November 29 election, wrote on Telegram that her online visa application was rejected. She said U.S. consular officials in Madrid questioned her only about her participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to reach Gaza in late 2025.
Colau vows to fight ‘reactionary wave’
Colau was among activists intercepted by Israeli forces, detained for three days, and deported to Spain. She called it “shameful” that “those of us who denounce genocide and defend human rights can’t enter the U.S. or other territories it has appropriated in a colonial manner.” She also criticized right-wing leaders, saying, “Sooner rather than later, we will end this reactionary wave, kick out the Trumps, Mileis, Netanyahus and Abascals of the day.”
The Broad Front has been weakened by its failure to unite with Podemos, Spain’s other major far-left force. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez needs parties to the left of his Socialists to perform well to have a chance of remaining in power. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
