Google's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America on Google Maps for users in the United States has ignited a diplomatic dispute. This change follows an executive order signed by former US President Donald Trump, shortly after his inauguration, aimed at "honoring American greatness." The renaming will only affect Google Maps users in the US, while those in Mexico will continue to see the traditional "Gulf of Mexico" designation.
The Gulf of Mexico, a vast body of water off the US coast, is central to this decision. Google's approach aligns with its practice of applying name changes when updated in official government sources. The company has also announced a similar change for Mount McKinley, reverting it to its indigenous name, Denali. The name change is limited to 12 nautical miles from the coastline, a boundary that applies universally across all countries.
“If a country wants to change the designation of something in the sea, it would only apply up to 12 nautical miles. It cannot apply to the rest, in this case, the Gulf of Mexico. This is what we explained in detail to Google.” – Claudia Sheinbaum
In response to this development, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has contested the renaming. She sent a letter to Google expressing her disagreement with the decision and reiterated her previous proposal to rename parts of the US as "América Mexicana," a suggestion that was not accepted. During a recent press conference, Sheinbaum referenced a historic map from 1607 that labeled parts of North America as "Mexican America."
“In the end, we requested that when someone searches for ‘América Mexicana’ in the search engine, the map we previously presented should appear.” – Claudia Sheinbaum
The executive order issued by Trump underscores the significance of promoting America's heritage and celebrating its heroes.
“It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes,” – Donald Trump
