Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrongly claimed Venezuela is “below the equator” during a 2026 Munich speech, sparking criticism over her foreign policy knowledge.

In February 2026, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced widespread criticism after incorrectly stating that Venezuela is “below the equator” during a speech at the Munich Security Conference, a factual error since most of the country lies north of the equator. The mistake, made while discussing U.S. foreign policy and the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela, drew mockery on social media and was seized upon by critics as evidence of her lack of foreign policy expertise, especially ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run. While her broader message focused on resisting authoritarianism and strengthening working-class power, the gaffe contributed to ongoing questions about her readiness for high-level international roles.