Mexico Weighs Legal Action Against Google Over ‘Gulf of America’ Renaming
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her government is considering a lawsuit against Google after the company changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” on Google Maps. The decision, prompted by an executive order signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, has sparked diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Sheinbaum emphasized that her administration is evaluating potential legal actions. “We are going to wait. We are already seeing, observing what this would mean from the perspective of legal advice, but we hope that they will make a revision,” she said, as reported by Reuters. The controversy began in January when Trump publicly declared that the Gulf of Mexico would be renamed, calling it a more “appropriate” designation. A few weeks later, he signed an executive order making the change official. Google Maps then updated its labels to reflect the new name. In the U.S., the body of water now appears as the “Gulf of America,” while users outside the U.S. and Mexico see both names displayed. Trump defended the renaming, calling it a patriotic move. “We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate.
”However, Sheinbaum has strongly criticized the move, arguing that the Gulf of Mexico has been internationally recognized for centuries. She urged Google to reassess its decision based on the specifics of Trump’s decree. “All we are asking of Google is to look at the decree that the White House released and that President Donald Trump signed,” Sheinbaum said. “You’ll see in that decree that it does not refer to the whole gulf. ”She warned that legal action may follow if the name is not restored. “If necessary, we will file a civil suit,” she added. “Our legal area is already looking into what that would mean, but we hope that (Google) reconsiders. ”Fox News Digital reached out to Google for comment, but the company has not yet issued a statement on the matter. In addition to Google Maps, other U.S. agencies are also implementing the name change. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently sent a charting notice confirming that updates are underway. The FAA’s notice also referenced a separate renaming effort for a landmark in Alaska. “Please be advised that the FAA is in the process of updating our data and charts to show a name change from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and a name change from Denali to Mount McKinley. This will be targeted for the next publication cycle,” the notice read.
The Gulf of Mexico, which borders Mexico, the United States, and Cuba, has been known by that name since at least the early colonial period. It is a crucial body of water for trade, fisheries, and energy resources .Mexico sees the name change as an infringement on international agreements and historical precedent. Experts say that Mexico’s legal challenge would be unprecedented but not necessarily impossible. International geographic naming disputes are typically handled through diplomatic channels or international organizations like the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN).However, since Google is a private company, a lawsuit would likely focus on corporate responsibility rather than international law. “It’s rare to see a country take legal action against a tech company over naming rights, but we have seen similar disputes in the past over territories and disputed regions,” said international law expert Ana Rodríguez. “Mexico’s argument would likely center on misrepresentation and the potential for economic or diplomatic harm. ”The controversy also raises questions about how major corporations handle political and geographical disputes. Google has faced criticism before for its labeling of contested regions such as Crimea, Taiwan, and the West Bank, where different users see different names depending on their location. In Mexico, the name change has sparked public backlash. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages criticizing the decision, with many calling it an unnecessary provocation. Mexican lawmakers from multiple political parties have urged the government to take action. “This is not just about a name on a map. It’s about our sovereignty, our history, and our identity,” said Senator Ricardo Monreal. “We cannot allow a foreign power to unilaterally change the name of a body of water that belongs to multiple nations. ”As legal experts continue to review potential actions, Sheinbaum has signaled that diplomatic efforts will also be pursued. Mexican officials have reportedly reached out to the U.S. State Department for clarification on the scope of Trump’s executive order.
For now, the Gulf of Mexico remains a focal point of political tension. Whether Google will revise its labeling or if the dispute will escalate into a formal legal battle remains to be seen.
