U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken came under criticism from social media users on Friday after touting U.S. relations with Mexico while posing with a Mexican flag that was upside down.
Blinken posted a picture to Twitter of himself seated at a desk before he was to meet via video conference with Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard. Behind him was a U.S. flag and the Mexican flag, albeit with the eagle's head in the middle white panel of the Mexican flag facing downward.
A correspondent with Televisa, the largest Spanish-language media company in Latin America, mocked the post, writing in Spanish: ''with the Mexican flag upside down, the secretary of state begins his 'virtual visit' to the country.''
Another user, also in Spanish, asked if the upside down flag was a ''subliminal message'' or ''unintentional human error.''
Blinken announced that he was ''discussing our commitment to working with Mexico on COVID-19, promoting trade and investment, and implementing a comprehensive approach to regional migration.''
But the purpose of the meeting with Ebrard seemed to get lost to many Spanish speakers, including one who said, ''if it's so cool, why do they insult my country with the upside down flag.''
Another pointed out that an upside down flag often connotes danger.
''There must be a reason,'' he wrote.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.