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. 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. 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.
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