AOC Mocked for Claiming Venezuela is Below Equator

The Democratic socialist's foreign policy gaffe during a panel in Germany draws widespread criticism.

Feb. 17, 2026 at 7:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing backlash after erroneously claiming that Venezuela is 'below the equator' while speaking at a panel in Germany. Venezuela actually sits just above the equator, but the Democratic socialist, who majored in international relations, made the embarrassing geographical mistake while trying to showcase her foreign policy expertise.

Why it matters

AOC's foreign policy blunder undermines her efforts to build up her credentials on global issues as she considers a potential 2028 presidential or Senate run. The incident feeds into criticisms that she is inexperienced and ill-informed on international affairs.

The details

During the panel at the Technical University of Berlin, Ocasio-Cortez discussed the political situation in Venezuela, describing how 'Maduro canceled elections' and was 'an anti-democratic leader.' However, she then incorrectly stated that 'we can't kidnap a head of state and engage in acts of war just because the nation is below the equator,' despite Venezuela's location north of the equator.

  • Ocasio-Cortez made the comments during a panel at the Technical University of Berlin on Sunday.

The players

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A Democratic U.S. Representative from New York City who is considered a rising star in the party and is speculated to be a potential 2028 presidential or Senate candidate.

Nicolas Maduro

The current president of Venezuela, whom Ocasio-Cortez described as an 'anti-democratic leader' who 'canceled elections.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What's worse is the woke white liberals in Germany felt compelled to clap for her. Wokeness is truly a mind virus.”

— Bernie Moreno, U.S. Senator (R-Ohio)

“AOC has AGAIN made a fool out of herself on stage saying that we can't capture leaders like Maduro in Venezuela 'just because the nation is south of the equator' NONE of Venezuela is south of the equator PLEASE run in 2028, AOC.”

— Nick Sortor, Conservative pundit

“Whoever convinced AOC that she had successfully completed her tutoring and was now ready to give book reports about foreign policy in public really should look for another line of work. Unless the goal was to sabotage her. In which case: kudos for a job well done.”

— Glenn Greenwald, Independent journalist

The takeaway

Ocasio-Cortez's embarrassing geographical mistake while discussing Venezuela's political situation raises further questions about her foreign policy expertise and readiness for higher office, potentially undermining her aspirations for a future presidential or Senate run.