Ocasio-Cortez’s Misstatement on Venezuela During TEDx Event

During a TEDx event at the Technical University of Berlin, Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made an incorrect assertion about Venezuela being “below the equator” while criticizing the Trump administration for detaining former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Ocasio-Cortez noted that despite Venezuela’s actual location north of the equator, she believed that being south of it should not justify actions like “acts of war.” Maduro was captured on January 3 during a special operations mission known as “Operation Absolute Resolve” and is currently facing charges in Manhattan related to narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and corruption.

“Looking at the situation in Venezuela, this isn’t just about who Maduro is as a leader,” she stated. “He canceled elections and demonstrated anti-democratic behavior. But just because a country is on the equator doesn’t give anyone the right to kidnap a head of state or commit acts of war,” Ocasio-Cortez explained.

Additionally, Ocasio-Cortez poked fun at Secretary of State Marco Rubio for highlighting the influence of Spanish settlers on modern cowboy culture in the Americas. She referred to the historical arrival of horses in Mexico by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1519, noting how settlers trained indigenous peoples to ride and manage cattle in various regions.

After facing considerable backlash from conservatives online, Ocasio-Cortez reportedly canceled several planned media appearances. Observers noted that none of her political allies came to her defense, suggesting that she might not be prepared for the international stage.

At a recent Munich Security Conference, she did not dismiss the possibility of running for president in the 2028 primaries.