The Mexican government sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai requesting the correction of the designation on its maps of the United States, where the Gulf of Mexico is mistakenly referred to as the 'Gulf of America.' The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) stated that this designation is not a government imposition, but an historically accepted and registered name, both internationally and legally with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).
President Claudia Sheinbaum read the letter during her morning conference, expressing that Google's decision to change the name was based on an order from Donald Trump, President of the United States, but clarified that this order only applies to the continental shelf of the Gulf in that country, not to the international body of water. International law establishes 12 nautical miles of sovereignty from the coastline of each country, implying that any change in the designation of a marine area applies only within those 12 miles.
The Mexican leader emphasized that the Gulf of Mexico encompasses marine areas from three countries: Mexico, Cuba, and the United States. Therefore, any decree could only affect the 12 miles from the coasts of the latter. She also recalled that maps from the 17th century identified the Gulf of Mexico and referred to the current territory of the United States and Canada as 'Mexican America,' prompting Sheinbaum to jokingly suggest that Google also make this change.
In this context, Sheinbaum mentioned: 'In the end, we asked that in the search engine, when 'Mexican America' is typed, the map we presented at some point appears.' The Mexican government elevated its claims arguing that the correct designation is Gulf of Mexico, backed by historical and international support, aiming for Google to rectify the information on its maps of the United States.
