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The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, warned on Monday that her government might take Google to court if it does not correct the designation of "Gulf of America" that appears on its maps in the United States instead of "Gulf of Mexico".
The official reported that the change not only affects the U.S. continental shelf but also improperly alters the designation of waters belonging to Mexico and Cuba, according to the agency EFE.
The conflict arose after the executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on January 20, which mandated the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" in official documents and maps of the U.S. However, Sheinbaum insists that this modification should only apply within the U.S. continental shelf and not to the entire gulf.
Mexico rejects Google's response
Sheinbaum presented during her morning conference a letter sent on February 10 by Google to the Mexican Foreign Minister, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, in which the company justifies the change by stating that it is following the update of the Geographic Names Information System of the United States (GNIS). For the president, this response is unacceptable.
"Google has no right to rename the continental shelf of Mexico or that of Cuba. This has nothing to do with Trump's decree, which only applies to his maritime territory," declared Sheinbaum from the National Palace.
The Mexican government had already voiced its protest to Google on January 30 through a letter sent by Sheinbaum to the company's CEO, Sundar Pichai, demanding the correction of the name on the maps of its platform.
In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE) sent a new letter on February 11, reaffirming that Mexico does not accept changes to its territory and demanding an immediate rectification.
The controversy also extends to Apple
The case gained attention last week after users in the U.S. reported that both Google Maps and Apple Maps labeled the Gulf of Mexico as "Gulf of America."
Apple also implemented the change following Trump's proclamation on February 9 as the "Day of the Gulf of America", in which he ordered that digital mapping platforms reflect the new name.
However, the name varies depending on the user's location. While in some countries, including Mexico, the gulf still appears with its original name, in the U.S. the modification is already visible on multiple platforms.
Possible legal battle
Sheinbaum made it clear that if Google does not change its stance, Mexico will resort to legal measures.
"If there is no satisfactory response, we will go to court. We will not allow the name of a territory that belongs to our country to be changed," the president emphasized.
For the moment, Google has not issued any additional statement regarding the stance of the Mexican government, as the controversy continues to escalate and sparks debate on social media and in diplomatic circles.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Name Change of the Gulf of Mexico
Why does Claudia Sheinbaum want to sue Google?
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, threatens to sue Google because the company has changed the name of the "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America" on its maps, which she considers an improper alteration of the designation in Mexican and Cuban waters. Sheinbaum insists that the name change ordered by Trump should only apply within the U.S. continental shelf.
What prompted the name change of the Gulf of Mexico on Google and Apple?
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" on Google and Apple Maps was prompted by an executive order from the President of the United States, Donald Trump, instructing that this new name be reflected in official U.S. documents and maps. Google and Apple adjusted their maps to comply with the update from the U.S. Geographic Names Information System.
How does this name change affect the relationship between Mexico and the United States?
This name change has sparked diplomatic tensions between Mexico and the United States, as Mexico regards the action as a unilateral imposition that disregards the historically recognized name of the Gulf of Mexico. The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has urged Google to keep the original name, arguing that it has been internationally recognized since the 17th century.
What stance has Google taken regarding the demands from Mexico?
Google has maintained its stance to follow the official updates from the United States government on its maps. The company justified the change by stating that it adheres to the U.S. government's policy regarding the updating of names on its maps. Google indicated that it updates names only when the U.S. federal government updates its official listings.
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