Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Thursday that her administration is considering taking legal action against Google over its use of the term “Gulf of America” to describe the body of water traditionally known as the Gulf of Mexico. This name change, sparked by a declaration from former President Donald Trump, has raised eyebrows and ignited a political dialogue.
During a morning press conference, Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico’s sovereign rights over the region, declaring, “We have sovereignty over our continental shelf.” Despite sending a letter to Google asserting that the Gulf of Mexico is the correct name, the tech giant has continued to use the alternative designation.
Currently, the way the Gulf is labeled on Google Maps varies by location. Users in the U.S. see it as the Gulf of America, while those in Mexico see it as the Gulf of Mexico. In various countries, it appears as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”
Sheinbaum defended the historical designation of the Gulf of Mexico, noting that it has been in use since 1607 and is recognized by the United Nations. She referenced Mexico’s early constitutional document to humorously suggest that if the name were to change, “Mexican America” should also be added as a searchable term, further highlighting the complexities of U.S.-Mexico relations.
The naming dispute is reminiscent of past disagreements between the two nations over geographic features, such as the river that forms part of the Texas-Mexico border—known as the Rio Bravo in Mexico and the Rio Grande in the U.S.
This week, the White House restricted Associated Press reporters from attending certain events due to differences over naming conventions. While the AP uses “Gulf of Mexico,” it also recognizes Trump’s alternate name to maintain clarity in geographical references worldwide.
