Sheinbaum Condemns ‘Gulf of America’ Name, Challenges Google \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned Google for labeling the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘Gulf of America’ and hinted at potential legal action if the tech giant continues using the term. The disputed renaming follows President Donald Trump’s decree, which only applies to U.S. waters, but has sparked global controversy. Google says its naming policy follows government sources, and map results vary by user location. Mexico insists on the historic name recognized by the U.N. and is now demanding Google acknowledge ‘Mexican America’ in response.
Mexico vs. Google Over ‘Gulf of America’: Quick Looks
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum threatens legal action against Google for listing the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘Gulf of America’.
- Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf applies only to U.S. waters, but Google’s changes sparked international backlash.
- Google defends its naming policy, stating it follows official government sources when updating geographical labels.
- Google Maps displays different names based on user location—‘Gulf of America’ in the U.S., ‘Gulf of Mexico’ in Mexico, and a hybrid name elsewhere.
- Sheinbaum calls the renaming historically inaccurate, citing United Nations records and historical references from 1607.
- She mocks Trump’s move, suggesting that Google should display ‘Mexican America’ on maps in response.
- The White House barred AP reporters from events due to their handling of the naming dispute, fueling media controversy.
- Mexico has yet to confirm where a lawsuit would be filed, but diplomatic tensions continue to rise over the geopolitical naming dispute.
Deep Look
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” has sparked a diplomatic and corporate standoff between Mexico, the United States, and Google, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum openly condemning the change and threatening legal action against Google if it continues using the term on its platforms.
The controversy began after President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring that U.S.-controlled waters of the Gulf would now be called the “Gulf of America.” While the decree applies only to the portion of the Gulf within U.S. jurisdiction, Google’s labeling changes have given the issue an international dimension.
At her Thursday morning press conference, Sheinbaum made it clear that Mexico does not and will not recognize the name change. She insisted that Mexico has sovereignty over its portion of the Gulf and that Trump’s decree is limited to the U.S. continental shelf.
Sheinbaum’s strongest remarks, however, were directed at Google, which has begun displaying different names for the Gulf depending on the user’s location.
For users in the United States, Google Maps now lists the body of water as the “Gulf of America.” In Mexico, it continues to appear as the “Gulf of Mexico,” while in some other locations, it is displayed as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).” This inconsistency has further inflamed tensions, leading Sheinbaum’s government to formally protest the change in a letter to Google, arguing that it is historically inaccurate and politically motivated.
Despite these objections, Google defended its stance, stating on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that it has a “long-standing practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.”
Sheinbaum’s response has been both firm and sarcastic. She emphasized that the name Gulf of Mexico has been used since 1607 and is recognized by the United Nations, making Trump’s decree a purely political move without international legitimacy. In a pointed remark, she referenced the Apatzingán Constitution, a historical document from Mexico’s early independence era, which referred to North America as “Mexican America.”
With that in mind, Sheinbaum jokingly suggested that if the U.S. can rename the Gulf, then Mexico could request that Google label North America as “Mexican America” on maps.
While her comment was made in jest, it highlights the deeper geopolitical stakes involved in renaming geographical landmarks.
The legal question remains unresolved, as Sheinbaum has not specified where a lawsuit against Google would be filed or what legal grounds Mexico would claim. However, this is not the first time that Mexico and the United States have disagreed over geographic naming conventions.
The Rio Grande, which serves as the natural border between Texas and several Mexican states, has long been known in Mexico as “Río Bravo”, a name that differs from its U.S. counterpart. The dispute over the Gulf’s name is simply the latest chapter in a history of territorial and linguistic disagreements between the two nations.
The controversy has also extended to media coverage, as the White House recently barred Associated Press (AP) reporters from select events, including some in the Oval Office, citing the news agency’s handling of the naming dispute. AP has chosen to continue using the name “Gulf of Mexico” in its reports but also acknowledges Trump’s renaming decision to ensure clarity for international readers.
With Mexico refusing to back down, and Google standing by its policy of following official government sources, the dispute over the Gulf’s name is far from settled. If Sheinbaum’s administration follows through with legal action, it could set a precedent for how multinational corporations handle political name changes imposed by individual governments.
For now, the battle over the Gulf of Mexico’s name remains both a diplomatic challenge and a corporate controversy, with Mexico determined to defend its history and sovereignty against Trump’s nationalist rebranding.
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