In light of a recent directive by the former US President, Mexico's leadership has formally requested Google to maintain the traditional name of the Gulf of Mexico on its maps, citing international agreements and historical significance.
Mexico Urges Google Maps to Retain Gulf of Mexico Name Amid Controversial US Directive
Mexico Urges Google Maps to Retain Gulf of Mexico Name Amid Controversial US Directive
Mexican President Sheinbaum challenges Google Maps' decision to follow Trump's renaming of the historic Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" in the US.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has sent a letter to Google asking the company to reconsider its decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico. This appeal comes in response to an executive order signed by former US President Donald Trump, which mandates that the Gulf be referred to as the Gulf of America during his administration. According to the new policy, this name change will only be visible to users in the United States, while the historical name will remain in use worldwide.
Controversially, the renaming has sparked backlash from Mexico, which asserts that US legislation cannot legally alter the name of the Gulf—an area that is internationally recognized. Sheinbaum cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, pointing out that a nation's sovereign territory only extends twelve nautical miles offshore from its coastline. She emphasized, "[The name change] could only correspond to the 12 nautical miles away from the coastlines of the United States of America."
Google has yet to respond to queries about the situation but has stated on social media that they generally apply name updates following changes in official documents from governments. In addition, Google indicates it may also rename landmarks, such as reverting Mount Denali to Mount McKinley within US borders.
President Sheinbaum criticized Google’s decision, arguing that the company should not comply with what she considers an unreasonable demand from one nation regarding the nomenclature of a shared body of water. With a light-hearted tone, she jested that Mexico might also seek to have "Mexican America" labeled on maps, previously quipping that North America could be renamed "América Mexicana".
Sheinbaum's responses reflect a broader sentiment among Mexicans that the Gulf of Mexico, historically and culturally significant, should retain its name despite external pressures. "For us, it is still the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world, it is still the Gulf of Mexico," she stated confidently, reiterating Mexico's position on this international matter.
