Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that her government is waiting for a second response from Google about Mexico’s demand to restore the name “Gulf of Mexico” on Google Maps. Mexico has said it will file a lawsuit if Google does not change it. Currently, Google Maps shows the body of water as the “Gulf of America” when accessed from the United States, while it shows “Gulf of Mexico” when accessed from Mexico. When viewed internationally, it shows both names: “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”
Sheinbaum said, “We will wait for Google’s response, and if not, we will proceed to court.” She also shared a letter from Google, where the company stated that it would not change its naming policy. The Mexican government has made it clear that it will not accept a change in the name of a geographic area under its control.
Mexico argues that Google’s naming policy violates its sovereignty. The U.S. controls about 46% of the Gulf, Mexico controls around 49%, and Cuba controls about 5%.
The name change by Google came after a decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump. In early February, Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” as part of a larger effort to “honor American greatness.” In response, Sheinbaum jokingly suggested that North America be renamed “Mexican America,” referring to a term used in one of Mexico’s founding documents.
Trump’s order also reversed the Obama administration’s 2015 decision to recognize the Indigenous name of Mount McKinley in Alaska, restoring its original name after former U.S. President William McKinley. Google stated that it would also follow this order for Mount McKinley once the name change is made in the official U.S. database.
In a letter to Mexico’s government, Google’s Vice President of Public Policy, Cris Turner, said the company’s maps use the name “Gulf of America” because it follows its long-standing policy of applying consistent naming practices worldwide. Turner also offered to meet with the Mexican government to discuss the issue. The situation has caused tension in the U.S., where the White House recently restricted Associated Press reporters from events due to their refusal to use the new “Gulf of America” name.
