Kristi Noem's Misstep in South America Geography During Interview

In a recent interview, Kristi Noem, the US Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas, made a notable geographical error by naming El Salvador and Costa Rica as South American allies. This misstep has drawn attention, especially since only Ecuador and Argentina are actually in South America. Noem, who transitioned to this role after leaving the Department of Homeland Security, expressed her enthusiasm for the coalition aimed at combating drug cartels and other criminal organizations. Her comments during the interview have sparked discussions about her understanding of international relations and geography.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 15, 2026, 00:04 IST

Kristi Noem's Interview Mishap

Kristi Noem's recent return to the media spotlight did not unfold as she had hoped. During an interview with Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax, the US Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas mistakenly identified two nations that are not located in South America when discussing Washington's closest ally in the region, as reported by a major news outlet.

Her Comments

Noem was queried about which South American nation the United States collaborates with most closely. She mentioned El Salvador and Costa Rica, along with Ecuador and Argentina. "We have collaborated extensively with El Salvador on migration and third-country agreements," she stated. She praised Ecuador for its joint efforts with what she referred to as the Department of War against drug cartels and noted that Argentina's economic strategies align well with those of the US. Additionally, she pointed out Costa Rica, highlighting its new president as a promising ally.

VAN SUSTEREN: Who is our best friend in South America at this pointKRISTI NOEM: We've worked so much with El Salvador ... Costa Rica has been fantastic(El Salvador and Costa Rica, dear reader, are not in South America) pic.twitter.com/TPq2sH4RYV
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 13, 2026

The error was clear: both El Salvador and Costa Rica are situated in Central America, not South America. Among the four nations she mentioned, only Ecuador and Argentina are actually part of the continent in question.

Transitioning to a New Role

Noem has held the position of Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas since March, a role she assumed after her dismissal from the Department of Homeland Security. The Shield of the Americas coalition was introduced by President Trump in the same month, aimed at uniting Western Hemisphere countries to tackle drug trafficking and other transnational crime.

During her interview, Noem expressed strong support for the coalition, asserting that it could ultimately surpass NATO in strength by aligning member nations with American values. She anticipates the coalition's growth and emphasized its focus on issues like gang violence and illegal immigration, also identifying Haiti as a significant priority for the group.

This appearance on Newsmax marks one of her first major television interviews since her departure from DHS.