Mexico warns Google over renaming Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America'
3 Min Read
According to the Mexican government, Trump's executive order only applies to US territorial waters—extending 22 nautical miles from the coast—but does not alter the internationally recognized name of the Gulf.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum gives her daily morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 (AP)
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has warned that her government will take Google to court if it does not address Mexico's concerns over the platform's labeling of the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." The dispute stems from a recent executive order signed by US President Donald Trump, which renames the body of water within US territorial waters. However, Google has applied the new designation beyond US jurisdiction, prompting backlash from Mexico.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Palace, Sheinbaum criticized Google for implementing the renaming in a way that affects regions beyond the United States, including Mexico and Cuba.
"We will await a response from Google, and if there is none, we will take legal action. They have no right. The US has adopted an order regarding its continental shelf. Google has no right to rename the platform for Mexico and Cuba, and that is why this situation has arisen," she stated.
According to the Mexican government, Trump's executive order only applies to US territorial waters—extending 22 nautical miles from the coast—but does not alter the internationally recognized name of the Gulf. Officials argue that Google's changes misrepresent the boundaries of the order and infringe on Mexico's sovereignty.
Policy shift
Trump signed the executive order on January 20, his first day back in office, directing federal agencies to implement the renaming process within 30 days. The order not only affects the Gulf but also reverses the name of Denali in Alaska back to Mount McKinley. Trump had indicated before his inauguration that such moves were part of his administration's broader policy agenda.
While the order is binding within US territorial waters, Sheinbaum pointed out that it does not grant the US the authority to rename waters belonging to other nations.
"To other countries, it will appear as the Gulf of Mexico and America. The executive order only changes the name of the continental shelf, not the entire Gulf. Here, Google is changing the name of the Mexican and Cuban platform. We do not agree with this," she said.
Read more: It's official: Google renames Gulf of Mexico 'Gulf of America' on Maps
Mexico's challenge could escalate into a legal battle with one of the world's largest tech companies if Google does not adjust its platform accordingly. The dispute also raises questions about corporate responsibility in enforcing geopolitical decisions and whether international agreements on geographical naming conventions should take precedence over unilateral national policies.
The Mexican government is awaiting Google's official response before determining its next course of action.
