Photo Credit: Getty Images
In a diplomatic pushback, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has contested Google's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in compliance with an executive order from former U.S. President Donald Trump. The rebranding on Google Maps was announced earlier this week, sparking criticism and concerns over sovereignty.
During a press conference, Sheinbaum unveiled her official letter to Google, stating, "International maritime law defines sovereign control within 12 nautical miles of a nation's coastline. Beyond that, no country can unilaterally rename global geographical features." She called on Google to respect international norms and reverse the change.
The controversy stems from Trump's executive order aimed at promoting what he termed "American greatness." The order also reverted Alaska's Denali back to its historical name, Mount McKinley. Google justified the changes, citing a policy of aligning its maps with official government sources. While U.S. users now see the "Gulf of America," Mexican users and most of the world will continue to see "Gulf of Mexico."
Sheinbaum proposed an alternative, suggesting that the search term "América Mexicana" should display historical maps from 1607, where parts of North America were labeled "Mexican America." She framed this as a counter-narrative to the executive action.
The dispute highlights tensions over the naming of shared global landmarks and the influence of tech giants in shaping public perception. As debates over national identity and historical narratives unfold, this issue underscores the importance of respecting sovereignty and shared heritage.
