MEXICO CITY (AP) — In a recent development, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that her government is considering the option of taking legal action against Google due to its decision to refer to the body of water between northeastern Mexico and the southeastern United States as the “Gulf of America,” instead of the traditional term, Gulf of Mexico. This issue has gained significant attention following President Trump’s announcement of the name change.
President Sheinbaum emphasized that the renaming by President Trump only pertains to the “continental shelf of the United States,” as Mexico maintains control over a large portion of the Gulf. She reiterated Mexico’s sovereignty over its continental shelf and expressed dissatisfaction with Google’s refusal to rectify the naming discrepancy despite being notified by the Mexican government.
The possibility of a civil lawsuit against Google looms, although the specific jurisdiction for such legal action remains unclear. Google has defended its decision by stating that it adheres to a policy of updating names based on official government sources. As of now, the depiction of the Gulf on Google Maps varies depending on the user’s location, showing either Gulf of America or Gulf of Mexico.
President Sheinbaum has staunchly defended the historical and internationally recognized name of Gulf of Mexico, which traces back to 1607 and is acknowledged by the United Nations. She also highlighted historical references to the North American territory as “Mexican America” in the constitution of Apatzingán, drawing attention to the potential consequences of the name change.
Moreover, the disagreement over naming geographical features is not unprecedented between Mexico and the United States, with differences such as the river between Texas and Mexican states being called Rio Bravo by Mexico and Rio Grande by the U.S. The White House’s recent exclusion of Associated Press reporters from certain events due to their use of the term “Gulf of Mexico” further underscores the sensitivity surrounding the issue.
President Sheinbaum indicated that the Mexican government intends to request Google to display “Mexican America” in search results, highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the region. The ongoing dispute reflects broader tensions between the two nations over the naming of key geographic areas, underscoring the complexities of international relations and historical narratives.
