Mexico Stands Up to U.S. – The Battle Over the Gulf’s Name on Google Maps

By Searchpanda - February 3, 2025

In an unprecedented move that has stirred diplomatic waters, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally addressed tech giant Google to halt the U.S.-mandated renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on its digital map service for users in the United States. This request follows a surprising executive order by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which mandates the renaming of the historically recognized body of water as part of his first-week initiatives in office.

Mexico Stands Up to U.S.: The Battle Over the Gulf's Name on Google Maps
Diplomatic Waves: Mexico Challenges U.S. Over Historic Water Name Change

Digital Borders and Diplomatic Tensions

The Gulf of Mexico, a vast marine area bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, is at the center of a contentious debate sparked by nationalistic renaming efforts. President Sheinbaum’s plea underscores a significant challenge in digital cartography—the clash between local governance and global geography.

In her letter to Google, Sheinbaum argues that the renaming oversteps legal boundaries established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This international treaty limits a nation’s sovereign territory to just 12 nautical miles from its coastline, a specification that does not support unilateral name changes extending beyond these limits.

“[The name change] could only correspond to the 12 nautical miles away from the coastlines of the United States of America,”

Sheinbaum stated, emphasizing the legal framework that should guide such geographical denominations.

Mexico Stands Up to U.S.: The Battle Over the Gulf's Name on Google Maps
From Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America: A Digital Mapping Debate

Google’s Map Policy Under Scrutiny

Google’s approach to naming is typically reflective of changes in official government sources. This policy has been highlighted in recent statements by the company, noting,

“We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.”

This policy is also apparent in their recent decision to rename Mount Denali as Mount McKinley in the U.S., following another directive from Trump.

However, the selective application of these names, visible only to users within specific countries, raises questions about the implications for global users and the representation of internationally recognized territories.

A Quip from Sheinbaum

Adding a layer of irony and political commentary to the situation, President Sheinbaum has not shied away from using humor to express her disapproval of the U.S.’s unilateral decision. She quipped about demanding Google to make additional renaming changes on their maps, suggesting “Mexican America” as a potential new name for parts of the U.S.

Sheinbaum’s witty retorts continue as she toyed with the idea of renaming North America as “América Mexicana” in retaliation to Trump’s executive order.

Mexico Stands Up to U.S.: The Battle Over the Gulf's Name on Google Maps
Geopolitical Tensions Rise as Mexico Confronts Google Maps’ Renaming Decision

The International Implications of Digital Renaming

The debate over the Gulf of Mexico’s name highlights a broader issue facing the digital age: the intersection of technology, politics, and history. As digital platforms like Google Maps become arbiters of geographical information, their decisions can have wide-reaching effects on national identity and international relations.