In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The decision, aimed at reinforcing American identity over the body of water, prompted varied reactions from both sides of the border. Google announced it would comply with this directive, updating its maps to reflect the change, but only within the United States. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded by largely dismissing the order, highlighting that it pertains solely to the U.S. continental shelf and suggesting that Mexico would not adhere to it.
President Trump justified the executive order by emphasizing the gulf's economic significance to the United States. He described it as a "flourishing economic resource" critical to the nation's economy and its people. However, many Mexicans met this decision with ridicule and disbelief. In an attempt to humorously undermine Trump's renaming effort, some soccer fans speculated that he might be honoring the popular Mexican football team, Club América.
Governor Rocío Nahle of Veracruz openly rejected Trump's initiative, asserting Mexico's rightful claim over the region. She stated:
“Today and always … for 500 years it has been and will continue to be our rich and great ‘Gulf of Mexico,’” – Rocío Nahle
President Sheinbaum presented a historical map from 1607 that labeled parts of North America as "Mexican America." With a touch of irony, she proposed that perhaps the gulf should adopt this name instead. She firmly stated:
“The Gulf of Mexico is still the Gulf of Mexico,” – Claudia Sheinbaum
The general sentiment in Mexico ranged from bemusement to outright dismissal. Residents viewed Trump's action as an unnecessary and authoritarian gesture. A Mexico City resident described the order as "so childish," reflecting a broader sense of disbelief at the perceived overreach. Juan Cobos, another Mexican citizen, articulated a common perspective:
“You can’t change something overnight, what we’ve grown up with – history, geography, all that. You can’t be so authoritarian that you can change it from one day to the next.” – Juan Cobos
Google defended its decision to update maps based on official government sources, clarifying that the change would only appear on U.S. maps. The company reiterated its standard practice of adapting to governmental name updates.
