Mexico City, Mexico – The Mexican government is considering legal action against Google over its decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” on its Google Maps platform for users in the United States. The move follows an executive order signed by former US President Donald Trump, which Mexico argues only applies to the US continental shelf and not the entire gulf.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has been vocal in her opposition to the name change, stating that it disregards historical usage and international recognition of the name “Gulf of Mexico.” She has also pointed out that the name “Gulf of Mexico” dates back to at least 1607 and is recognized by the United Nations.
“We have already challenged Google on this issue, and if necessary, we will file a civil suit,” Sheinbaum said during a recent press conference. “We cannot allow them to change the name of something that is so important to our history and identity.”
The Mexican government has sent official letters to Google, urging the company to reverse its decision. However, Google has maintained its stance, stating that its policy is to reflect official government sources in its map data.
“Our policy is to apply name changes when they have been updated in official government sources,” a Google spokesperson said. “In this case, the US government has officially changed the name of the gulf to ‘Gulf of America,’ and we are reflecting that change for our users in the United States.”
The name change has sparked controversy beyond Mexico, with indigenous groups in Alaska also criticizing Trump’s decision to revert the name of Denali back to Mount McKinley. Critics argue that these changes disregard historical and cultural significance.
The Mexican government’s potential lawsuit against Google highlights the ongoing debate over the naming of geographical features and the impact of political decisions on map data. It also raises questions about the role of private companies like Google in reflecting or challenging such decisions.
The outcome of this dispute could have implications for how geographical names are displayed on digital platforms in the future, particularly when there are conflicting claims or historical grievances.
In addition to the name change dispute, Mexico and the US have a history of disagreements over geographical names. The border river between Texas and several Mexican states is known as the “Río Bravo” in Mexico and the “Rio Grande” in the US.
The Mexican government’s potential lawsuit against Google is a developing story, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of digital cartography and the recognition of historical and cultural place names.
