LOS ANGELES — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has cautioned that her government may pursue legal action against Google if the company continues labeling the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” on its maps.
The controversy stems from a decree issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, renaming the portion of the Gulf within American territorial waters—a move Mexico firmly opposes.
Mexico’s Stance on Sovereignty
Sheinbaum underscored that Mexico retains sovereignty over much of the Gulf and emphasized that “Gulf of Mexico” is the internationally recognized name.
“We have sovereignty over our continental shelf,” she stated, clarifying that the Trump administration’s decision does not extend beyond U.S. waters.
Google’s Response and Mapping Policy
Google has defended its naming conventions, stating that they reflect updates from official government sources. In a statement posted on X last month, the company noted its longstanding practice of incorporating name changes based on recognized government updates.
Currently, the name displayed on Google Maps varies by location. In the United States, the body of water is labeled as the “Gulf of America,” whereas in Mexico, it appears as the “Gulf of Mexico.” In some global regions, the map lists both names simultaneously.
Potential Legal Action
The Mexican government has already submitted a formal complaint to Google, arguing that “the entire Gulf of Mexico cannot be called the Gulf of America.” However, it remains unclear where Mexico might file a lawsuit or on what legal basis it would challenge Google’s naming policies.
This dispute highlights broader tensions over geographic naming conventions, mirroring past disagreements—such as the differing U.S. and Mexican names for the Rio Grande (Río Bravo in Mexico).
Additionally, Mexico has requested that Google acknowledge “Mexican America” as a historical reference in search results. Meanwhile, the White House has defended its stance, even restricting some media outlets from covering events due to their editorial policies regarding the Gulf’s name.
Sheinbaum Reaffirms Mexico’s Position
Despite the controversy, Sheinbaum remains resolute in her rejection of the name change.
“The Gulf of Mexico has existed since 1607,” she stated, reaffirming Mexico’s position as the dispute continues to unfold.