June 14, 2026
Kristi Noem has become the focus of social media attention after a statement widely perceived as a geographic error during a Newsmax interview concerning her new role in a Western Hemisphere regional security alliance.
During the interview with journalist Greta Van Susteren, Noem was asked which country was America's closest ally in South America.
In her response, she mentioned Ecuador, Argentina, El Salvador, and Costa Rica as important U.S. partners.
However, observers quickly pointed out that El Salvador and Costa Rica are located in Central America, not South America as the question implied.
Noem currently serves as the Envoy for the Shield of the Americas alliance, an initiative announced by President Trump in March 2026 to strengthen cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations to combat transnational criminal organizations, drug trafficking, and gang activities.
During the interview, she praised Ecuador for its coordinated campaigns against criminal gangs and also highly valued relations with Argentina and Costa Rica.
She also suggested that the Shield of the Americas alliance would continue to expand in the future and could become a very strong regional alliance.
Another point in the interview that drew attention was Noem's statement about Haiti. She said the alliance was considering deploying specialized anti-gang forces to help the Caribbean nation address its protracted violence.
Noem previously served as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security before being appointed by President Trump to her new role in March.
To date, Noem's office has not commented on the reactions concerning her geographical statement in the interview.
