In response to Google's plan to label the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for US users, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urges the tech giant to reconsider, emphasizing the historical and international significance of the name.
Mexico Protests Google Maps' Gulf of America Renaming Strategy
Mexico Protests Google Maps' Gulf of America Renaming Strategy
Mexican authorities appeal to Google against US label change for iconic waterway
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken action against Google regarding its recent decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico on its maps for users based in the United States. The controversial move follows an executive order from former President Donald Trump, who proposed renaming the Gulf to the Gulf of America during his initial week in office.
However, Google has clarified that the name change will only apply within US borders; the Gulf will retain its original title for users globally, a name that has been in use for centuries. Sheinbaum argues that such a unilateral change lacks legal standing, referencing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which states that a nation’s sovereignty extends only 12 nautical miles from its coast.
"[The name change] could only apply to the 12 nautical miles off the coastlines of the United States of America," Sheinbaum stated, underscoring that the name and identity of the Gulf remain untouchable for Mexico and the wider international community.
As of now, Google has not provided an official response but noted on social media, "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources." They also mentioned that when country-specific names differ, users will see the title that corresponds to their location.
In a light-hearted jab towards the former US administration, Sheinbaum remarked that Mexico may also ask for the name "Mexican America" to appear on maps, playfully suggesting they would rename North America as "América Mexicana."
Despite the humorous undertones, the President's sentiments highlight a deeper frustration over the perceived imposition of US national interests on internationally recognized geographic titles. Sheinbaum reiterated, "For us it is still the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world it is still the Gulf of Mexico."
