Mexico is taking a stand against Google’s decision to call the body of water between Mexico and the U.S. the “Gulf of America.” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Thursday that the government may file a lawsuit if Google refuses to change the name.
Trump’s renaming sparks controversy
The Gulf of Mexico, historically recognized by this name for centuries, is now at the center of a heated dispute. Recently, former President Donald Trump declared plans to rename the gulf. The name change has ignited a geopolitical firestorm, especially with Mexico strongly objecting to it.
Mexico holds its ground
At a press conference, Sheinbaum firmly defended Mexico’s sovereignty over the Gulf. She pointed out that Mexico controls much of the Gulf, not the U.S. She argued that any name change should not be applied to the entire region, as Mexico’s continental shelf is involved.
Mexico’s government wasn’t pleased when Google refused to adjust its maps. Despite sending a letter to the tech giant arguing the Gulf should not be called the Gulf of America, Google insisted on sticking to the new nomenclature. In fact, Google claimed it follows a practice of adopting official name changes from government sources.
Name change on Google Maps
Interestingly, the name of the Gulf on Google Maps changes depending on where you are. Users in the U.S. see the Gulf of America, while in Mexico, it appears as the Gulf of Mexico. For users in other countries, Google displays both names: “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”
A historical defense
Sheinbaum didn’t stop there. She brought up the historical roots of the name “Gulf of Mexico,” stating it has been in use since 1607. She also referenced Mexico’s first constitution, which called the region “Mexican America.” In a cheeky comment, she suggested that if Trump wants to rename the Gulf, Mexico should get Google to call the region “Mexican America.”
A long-standing disagreement
This isn’t the first time there’s been a naming dispute between Mexico and the U.S. A similar issue has existed for years regarding the border river between Texas and several Mexican states. Mexico calls it Rio Bravo, but the U.S. refers to it as the Rio Grande. These differences highlight the ongoing friction over geographical names between the two nations.
White House tightens the reins
In another twist, the White House recently took action against the Associated Press. AP reporters were barred from certain events, including in the Oval Office, due to the news agency’s decision to use the term “Gulf of Mexico.” Although AP acknowledges Trump’s renaming efforts, it maintains the traditional name for clarity.
As tensions rise, the future of the Gulf’s name remains uncertain. Mexico has already threatened legal action, and Sheinbaum has vowed to fight for the Gulf of Mexico’s historical name. Meanwhile, Google faces mounting pressure to reconsider its position on the issue.
Stay tuned for updates as the dispute continues to unfold.
