Mexico’s government is at odds with Google over the tech giant’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, following directives from former U.S. President Donald Trump. This controversy was highlighted by Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum during her morning press conference on January 28, 2025, where she expressed her administration's strong opposition to the unilateral name change.
According to reports, Sheinbaum has officially written to Google asking for clarity on their reasoning behind the name change. She contended during her press conference, “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,” she asserted, referring to international law as outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which dictates sovereign territorial waters.
The name change, which is set to take effect for U.S. users on Google Maps, follows Trump’s executive order and has sparked intense debate across Mexico. The political atmosphere has become heated, with critics asserting it reflects U.S. dominance over shared international waters, putting strain on U.S.-Mexico relations. A statement from Google defended its actions, saying, “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources,” basing their move on U.S. geographic naming conventions.
Sheinbaum, reacting to the name change proposal, characterized it as disrespectful to Mexican sovereignty and historically charged. She emphasized, “To change the name of an international sea, it is not a country [that can change it]. It is international organizations [that do this]. So we are sending this letter to Google today.” Her use of humor included her suggestion of potentially renaming the U.S. to “Mexican America” for users to remind them of the historical naming conventions of North America.
The controversy highlights how digital geography can intersect dramatically with international relations. The Gulf of Mexico has been emblematic of Mexico’s identity and culture for centuries, making this name change deeply significant. Many Mexican leaders, historians, and scholars have criticized the change, arguing it dismisses historical records and agreements surrounding the Gulf’s name.
Online discussions have been polarized, with hashtags like #GolfoDeMéxico and #GulfOfAmerica trending across various social media platforms, as citizens expressed differing viewpoints on the matter. While Trump's supporters view the move as restoring American heritage, Sheinbaum's counterproposal has presented alternative perspectives on the historical naming process.
The essence of the situation not only revolves around what to call the Gulf but reflects broader issues of territorial acknowledgment and cultural recognition. Experts warn this could set forth troubling precedents for future disputes relating to territorial naming, allowing geopolitical interests to shape digital cartography.
It remains to be seen how Google will respond to the formal objection presented by the Mexican government. Both the U.S. and Mexican governments are under pressure to discuss the ramifications of this naming contention, which could open channels for diplomatic negotiations or cause escalations.
Through the lens of this dispute, one can see the depth of feeling and complexity intertwined with the nomenclature of places, stirring discussions about nationality, heritage, and the very nature of international relations. Whether the naming conventions prevail remains uncertain, but the case highlights how digital representations can ignite relevant geopolitical realities.