The government of Mexico, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has taken a bold step by filing a civil lawsuit against tech giant Google. The lawsuit stems from Google's decision to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on its popular Maps application. This move has ignited a significant diplomatic dispute, with Sheinbaum asserting that the name change infringes upon Mexico's sovereignty.
During a press conference on Friday, May 9, 2025, Sheinbaum confirmed that her administration has initiated legal proceedings against Google in Mexico. She indicated that a judicial resolution has already been issued regarding the matter, although she did not elaborate on the specifics of the ruling. However, she hinted that the initial judgment may have favored Mexico. "It's been filed. There was a first resolution, and we are waiting," she stated during her morning briefing.
The controversy has escalated amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has advocated for the name change, asserting that the designation of Gulf of America is appropriate for the area of the continental shelf that belongs to the United States. Sheinbaum contends that while Trump has the authority to name territories within the U.S., the renaming of the entire Gulf is not within the purview of the U.S. government but rather an international matter.
In February 2025, Sheinbaum announced that her government was considering legal action after diplomatic efforts to persuade Google to revert the name change were unsuccessful. On Friday, she reiterated that Google should designate Gulf of America only in reference to the U.S. continental shelf, which extends 22 kilometers from its coast. "What we are saying is that Google should label Gulf of America where it is Gulf of America, which corresponds to U.S. territory, and label Gulf of Mexico for the portion that corresponds to Mexico and Cuba," she emphasized.
Previously, the Sheinbaum administration attempted to file a lawsuit against Google in March 2025, as reported by La Jornada. This claim was presented to the Tenth District Court for Civil Matters in Mexico City, seeking compensation for moral damages against Google's Mexican subsidiary. The government demanded the restoration of the Gulf of Mexico name in Google's applications and clarification that references to the Gulf of America pertain solely to the U.S. continental shelf, not the entire marine basin.
However, Judge Eduardo León Sandoval dismissed the initial claim, citing incompetence in the court's jurisdiction. He argued that the name change did not constitute dispossession or damage to national assets. Despite this setback, Sheinbaum's government remains determined to pursue the matter legally.
The diplomatic tensions surrounding the Gulf's name have drawn attention to broader issues regarding territorial sovereignty and international naming conventions. "The change of designation across the entire continental shelf is not something the U.S. government is entitled to decide; it is an international decision," Sheinbaum argued, reinforcing her administration's stance.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Google may choose to appeal the court's resolution to a collegiate court, potentially prolonging the dispute. The company has previously attempted to navigate the situation by suggesting that the name change would only be visible to users in the United States. Nevertheless, this solution did not satisfy Mexican officials, who view it as a violation of their sovereignty.
The ongoing conflict over the Gulf's name reflects deeper geopolitical dynamics and the complexities of international relations in the digital age. With the U.S. and Mexico sharing significant historical and cultural ties, the naming dispute serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between national pride and international cooperation.
Sheinbaum's administration has made it clear that they will not back down easily. They argue that the Gulf of Mexico is not just a geographical feature but a symbol of national identity. "We cannot allow a foreign company to dictate the nomenclature of our territories," Sheinbaum asserted, emphasizing the importance of preserving Mexico's historical and cultural heritage.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Google will respond and what implications this legal battle will have on U.S.-Mexico relations. The outcome could set a precedent for how digital platforms handle naming conventions that cross international borders.
In conclusion, the lawsuit against Google over the Gulf of Mexico's name change illustrates the intersection of technology, sovereignty, and international law. With both sides standing firm in their positions, the dispute is likely to continue garnering attention as it unfolds in the courts.
