Mexico is currently in discussions with Google regarding the name of the Gulf of Mexico on its Google Maps service. The Mexican government is urging the tech giant to fully restore the name to its original designation before potentially pursuing legal action.
President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed a letter from Cris Turner, Google’s vice president of government affairs, stating that the company plans to maintain its recent naming policy initiated after former U.S. President Donald Trump referred to the area as the “Gulf of America.”
During a press briefing, Sheinbaum noted, “We will wait for Google’s response, and if we do not hear back, we will take this matter to court.” Currently, on Google Maps, this water body is labeled as the Gulf of America in the U.S., while it retains the Gulf of Mexico title in Mexico. Turner explained that the use of “Gulf of America” is part of a commitment to follow consistent mapping policies across different regions and offered to meet with Mexican officials to discuss the situation further.
The Mexican government argues that the mapping policy undermines its sovereignty since only about 46% of the Gulf lies within U.S. borders. Mexico controls approximately 49% of the Gulf, while Cuba governs about 5%. The designation “Gulf of Mexico” has historical roots dating back to 1607 and is acknowledged by international bodies such as the United Nations.
In response to Google’s stance, Mexican authorities made it clear that they would not accept the renaming of geographical areas within their jurisdiction. The conflict over the name has created tensions between Mexico and the U.S., at a critical moment for bilateral relations.
President Sheinbaum must navigate these tensions carefully, considering the backdrop of threats from Trump regarding tariffs and looming immigration issues that could disproportionately affect Mexico and other Latin American nations.
In addition to the ongoing discussions with Google, Mexican officials announced forthcoming high-level meetings with U.S. representatives to address trade and security, aiming for a “long-term collaboration plan” between the two nations. These discussions are crucial as Mexico seeks to prevent a larger geopolitical crisis stemming from this situation.
The Gulf’s renaming issue has also sparked debate within the U.S. Recently, the White House restricted access to Associated Press reporters at several events, citing the agency’s choice to refer to the Gulf as the Gulf of Mexico rather than the Gulf of America. The AP emphasizes the need for geographic names to be recognizable internationally, while also acknowledging Trump’s renaming. Concerns over journalistic freedom have emerged, as other media organizations join in voicing their discontent over these press restrictions.
