In a significant legal move, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Friday, May 9, 2025, that her government has filed a lawsuit against tech giant Google. The lawsuit stems from Google’s decision to label the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" for users in the United States, a change that has sparked controversy and diplomatic tensions between Mexico and the U.S.
Sheinbaum announced the lawsuit during her daily press briefing but did not disclose specific details about where or when it was filed. The legal action follows a series of communications between the Mexican government and Google, wherein Mexico’s foreign relations ministry had previously urged the company not to adopt the controversial name change.
The root of the dispute lies in an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, the first day of his second term. The order officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for federal government purposes, asserting that the U.S. "does most of the work there, and it's ours." This unilateral renaming has been met with strong objections from the Mexican government, which argues that the new name should only apply to the portion of the gulf that falls within U.S. territorial waters.
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico's demand is straightforward: Google should apply the "Gulf of America" name only to the area that falls under U.S. jurisdiction. "What we’re saying is that Google should put ‘Gulf of America’ where it belongs, that is, in the part that belongs to the United States, and that it should put ‘Gulf of Mexico’ in the territorial part that belongs to Mexico and Cuba," she stated.
The situation escalated on May 8, 2025, when the Republican-controlled House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness". This legislation aims to codify Trump’s executive order, requiring federal agencies to update their documents and maps accordingly. The bill passed with a vote of 211-206, with all Democrats and one Republican, Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, voting against it. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who defended the legislation, claimed that the American people deserve pride in the waters that the U.S. owns and protects.
Democratic leaders, however, criticized the initiative as a waste of time and resources. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called the bill "silly, small-minded and sycophantic," arguing that it distracts from more pressing issues facing the nation.
In addition to Google, Apple has also updated its maps to reflect the new name for U.S. users, further fueling Mexico’s objections. Sheinbaum has previously sent letters to Google warning of potential legal action if the company did not limit the name change to U.S. waters. Google, for its part, has defended its decision, stating that it follows official government sources and strives for accurate representation across its platforms.
As it stands, U.S. users see "Gulf of America" on Google Maps, while Mexican users continue to see "Gulf of Mexico". Users in other parts of the world see both names. The name "Gulf of Mexico" has been recognized internationally since the 1550s and remains the official designation by the United Nations and most global authorities.
In a pointed retort to Trump’s actions, Sheinbaum has suggested a tongue-in-cheek proposal to rename the United States "Mexican America," referencing historical maps from before 1848, which some see as a humorous jab at the current geopolitical climate.
The controversy surrounding the Gulf of America has also drawn attention to other actions taken by the Trump administration, including efforts to block The Associated Press from reporting on presidential events due to the outlet's refusal to adopt the new name. A federal judge recently ruled that the White House must restore the AP’s access, citing First Amendment rights that protect the press from government retaliation.
As the situation develops, the Mexican government appears determined to challenge what it sees as an infringement on its territorial rights and historical naming conventions. The lawsuit against Google marks a notable chapter in the ongoing tensions over territorial claims and national identity in the region.
With reports from El Financiero, El Economista, NBC News, AFP, and Infobae, this legal battle between Mexico and Google highlights the complexities of international relations in an era of shifting political landscapes and nationalistic sentiments.
