Spanish left-wing leader accuses Trump of denying her travel visa to Puerto Rico

Barcelona’s former mayor Ada Colau on Wednesday accused U.S. President Donald Trump of barring her from a summit in Puerto Rico over her pro-Palestinian activism.

“Trump defends a curious concept of freedom,” she wrote on Telegram. “The same man who decides the fate of Puerto Rico’s citizens without respecting their sovereignty also bars those of us who risked our lives in the flotilla from traveling,” referring to her participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla that attempted to reach Gaza in late 2025.

Colau, who is leading Spain’s left-wing Broad Front coalition ahead of the Nov. 29 election, said U.S. authorities rejected her online visa application to attend a summit of progressive city leaders in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 3 and 4.

In a bid to appeal the decision, Colau requested an appointment at the U.S. embassy in Madrid, during which consular officials asked her only about her role in the flotilla. She was among the activists intercepted by Israeli forces and detained for three days before being deported to Spain.

Colau said Wednesday it was “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.”

The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to POLITICO’s request for comment.

In response to her visa denial, the former mayor also hit out at right-wing populist leaders of the U.S., Argentina and Israel and the Spain’s far-right Vox party. “Sooner rather than later, we will end this reactionary wave, kick out the Trumps, Mileis, Netanyahus and Abascals of the day,” she said.

Her remarks come just over a month ahead of Spain’s upcoming election. Campaigning against Trump, an unpopular figure in Spain, could help Colau rally support for the Broad Front. The coalition has been weakened by its failure to unite with Podemos, the country’s other major far-left force. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez needs parties to the left of his Socialists to perform well to have any chance of remaining in power.