Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a firm stance against Google’s decision to comply with a directive from former U.S. President Donald Trump to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. In a letter addressed to the tech giant, Sheinbaum contested the move, emphasizing Mexico’s sovereignty and respecting international norms. The letter was shared with reporters during a press conference on Thursday, where Sheinbaum outlined Mexico’s position on the matter.
Sheinbaum highlighted that under international law, a nation’s sovereignty extends only 12 nautical miles from its coastline. Beyond this limit, the waters are considered international territory. “In the case of Mexico, where are we completely sovereign? In the area established as 12 nautical miles from the coastline, and this applies to all countries worldwide,” she stated. She argued that any attempt to rename a body of water like the Gulf of Mexico would only apply within a country’s sovereign waters, not the entirety of the gulf. “If a country wants to change the designation of something in the sea, it would only apply up to 12 nautical miles. It cannot apply to the rest, in this case, the Gulf of Mexico. This is what we explained in detail to Google,” she added.
The Mexican president also referenced a counterproposal she had previously made to Trump, suggesting that the United States be renamed “América Mexicana.” Sheinbaum reiterated this idea during the press conference, stating, “In the end, we requested that when someone searches for ‘América Mexicana’ in the search engine, the map we previously presented should appear.” The map in question, dating back to 1607, labels parts of North America as “Mexican America” and was displayed during an earlier press conference.
Google’s compliance with Trump’s executive order
Google’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico stems from an executive order signed by Trump shortly after he took office in 2017. The order aimed to “honor American greatness” by renaming geographical landmarks to reflect American heritage. As part of this directive, Google announced that users of Google Maps in the United States would see the Gulf of Mexico referred to as the Gulf of America. The tech giant stated that the change aligned with its policy of updating names based on official government sources.
However, the renaming will not be uniform across all regions. Users in Mexico will continue to see the body of water labeled as the Gulf of Mexico, while users in other parts of the world will see both names displayed. This partial implementation has sparked criticism, with many arguing that it undermines the historical and cultural significance of the Gulf of Mexico’s name.
In addition to the Gulf of Mexico, Google also announced plans to rename Mount McKinley, the highest peak in the United States, back to Denali. Former President Barack Obama officially renamed the mountain Denali in 2015 as a tribute to Alaska’s indigenous population. Trump’s executive order reversed this decision, and Google’s compliance has further fueled debates about the politicization of geographical names.
Sheinbaum’s letter to Google underscores the broader implications of such changes, particularly when they involve international territories. By challenging Google’s decision, Mexico is asserting its commitment to preserving its cultural and historical identity while advocating for respect for international norms. The dispute highlights the growing influence of tech companies in shaping public perception and the need for greater accountability in their decision-making processes.
As the debate continues, the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and other landmarks raises important questions about the intersection of politics, technology, and cultural heritage. Mexico’s response serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the sovereignty and history of nations in an increasingly interconnected world.
