Source: NurPhoto / Getty
Mexico Threatens Legal Action Against Google Over ‘Gulf of America’ Name Change
In a significant diplomatic development, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced plans to sue Google if the tech giant continues to label the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” across its platforms.
This move follows an executive order by former President Donald Trump, issued prior to his inauguration, which renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America within U.S. jurisdiction.
Source: The Washington Post / Getty
Background of the Name Change
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” which included renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
This order applied within U.S. territory, reflecting a broader initiative to reassert American historical narratives.
Google’s Response and Mexico’s Position
Following the executive order, Google updated its U.S. Maps service to reflect the new name, displaying “Gulf of America” for users within the United States.
However, the company maintained “Gulf of Mexico” for users in Mexico and other regions.
Mexico contends that this unilateral change infringes upon its sovereignty, as the Gulf of Mexico is a shared body of water, and such a renaming should be a collaborative decision among all stakeholders.
Potential Legal Action
President Sheinbaum has expressed her government’s dissatisfaction with Google’s actions, stating that Mexico is prepared to pursue legal action if the company does not revert to the original name.
She emphasized that the name “Gulf of Mexico” is recognized in international treaties and holds historical significance for the nation.
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