Mexico's President Criticizes Google for Accepting Trump's Gulf of Mexico Name Change

News Synopsis
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has strongly criticized Google for changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" on its Google Maps platform. This decision follows an order by U.S. President Donald Trump, who directed that the body of water be renamed under the U.S. Geographic Names System.
Google announced on Monday that this change will soon reflect on Google Maps for users in the United States. However, for users in Mexico, the name will remain "Gulf of Mexico." Outside these two countries, Google Maps will display both names to reflect the differing perspectives.
Mexico's Objection: A Matter of Sovereignty
In response, President Sheinbaum presented a formal letter addressed to Google, stating that the United States cannot unilaterally rename an international body of water. Mexico argues that the Gulf of Mexico is shared with Cuba and Mexico, making such a decision a matter of international jurisdiction.
The Mexican government insists that Trump’s renaming order disregards international maritime law and historical agreements. Sheinbaum highlighted that Google’s compliance with this directive sets a dangerous precedent for global cartographic integrity.
Legal Standpoint: The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Sheinbaum emphasized that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the sovereignty of a country over a body of water extends only 12 nautical miles (approximately 22 kilometers) from its coastline. Beyond this limit, the Gulf of Mexico is classified as an international body of water, meaning no single country can claim exclusive naming rights.
According to Sheinbaum, even if the United States wished to rename part of the gulf within its territorial waters, it could only apply to areas within this 12-nautical-mile boundary. The Mexican government has formally opposed any broader territorial changes that extend beyond these legal limits.
Sheinbaum’s Response: A Call for Recognition of "Mexican America"
Sheinbaum and Trump have clashed publicly over the renaming issue, with the Mexican president humorously suggesting that if countries were going to start renaming geographic locations, then perhaps North America should be called "Mexican America."
During a recent press conference, Sheinbaum referenced a historical map from 1607, which depicted the region under Mexican influence. She suggested that Google should consider displaying this map when users search for "Mexican America," highlighting the deep historical roots of Mexico in North America.
Google’s Role in Political and Geographical Disputes
Google has frequently been at the center of geopolitical disputes over naming conventions and border representations on its mapping services. The company’s decision to follow Trump’s directive has raised concerns about its neutrality and adherence to international law when representing global territories.
Critics argue that allowing political influence over geographical names can distort history and undermine global consensus on place names. Mexico’s opposition reflects broader concerns about tech giants playing a role in geopolitical conflicts.
The International Community’s Reaction
The Mexican government has urged Google to reconsider its decision, calling for a balanced approach that respects international treaties. Other Latin American countries and maritime experts have also voiced concerns over the precedent this change could set.
Sheinbaum reiterated that Mexico will continue diplomatic efforts to ensure the name "Gulf of Mexico" remains recognized internationally and that tech platforms do not alter historical names based on unilateral political decisions.
Conclusion: A Battle Over Geographic Identity
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" has ignited a diplomatic and historical debate. While the United States asserts its authority over naming conventions in domestic mapping systems, Mexico maintains that international law must be respected.
With Mexico’s formal opposition and growing international scrutiny, it remains to be seen whether Google will reconsider its stance or if this issue will escalate into a larger geopolitical dispute.