The Government of Mexico, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has expressed its disagreement with Google's decision to use the name 'Gulf of America' instead of 'Gulf of Mexico' in its Google Maps application. Sheinbaum argues that, according to a decree signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, 'Gulf of America' should be limited to the continental shelf of the United States in the Gulf of Mexico. In this regard, she points out that U.S. sovereignty covers 22 nautical miles of that territory.
In a press conference, Sheinbaum explained that the situation has been addressed by the Legal Counsel of the Presidency, indicating that Google is a private company whose services have gained international relevance. Additionally, the president mentioned that the Britannica Encyclopedia has decided to maintain the name 'Gulf of Mexico' due to its 425 years of history, considering it an international body of water and that the authority of the United States to rename it is ambiguous.
In response to Google's stance, which has updated the designation in Google Maps for U.S. users, Sheinbaum warns of the possibility of legal action if the situation is not rectified. In this context, President Trump proclaimed February 9 as 'Gulf of America Day,' urging commemoration of his Administration's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.
The dispute between Claudia Sheinbaum and Google has gained media relevance, generating a conflict surrounding the geographical name of the gulf shared by Mexico, the United States, and Cuba. While Google has included both names in its application, 'Gulf of Mexico' and 'Gulf of America', Mexican authorities maintain the historical and legal importance of the former.
