Mexico Threatens Legal Action Against Google Over Gulf of Mexico Name Change
Mexico has warned Google it will take legal action if the tech giant goes ahead with renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” for U.S. users on its Maps app. President Claudia Sheinbaum made the announcement on Monday, asserting that the change goes against Mexico’s sovereignty.
The Mexican government has sent a letter to Google, stating that President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding the renaming applies only to the U.S. portion of the Gulf, not the entire body of water. Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico cannot accept the renaming of any geographical area that lies within its jurisdiction.
“We are waiting for Google’s response, and if necessary, we will pursue legal action,” Sheinbaum told reporters during her daily press conference. She previously mentioned the possibility of filing a civil lawsuit against Google if the company presses forward with the name change.
Trump’s Executive Order and the Name Controversy
Shortly after taking office in January 2020, President Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico for U.S. users of digital mapping apps.
In a pointed response, Sheinbaum jokingly suggested renaming the United States “Mexican America,” referencing historical maps that show Mexico once controlled a large portion of the land now known as the U.S. before the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Google and Apple Respond
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has assured users in Mexico that they will continue to see the “Gulf of Mexico” on their maps. However, U.S. users will see both names, according to the company. Apple has followed suit, renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” on its maps for U.S. users to comply with Trump’s directive.
As the dispute continues, the world watches to see how this international clash over geographic names will unfold.
