Google's Bold Move to Rename Gulf of Mexico Could Land Them in Hot Water!

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that her government is considering a civil lawsuit against Google for changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico on its global maps. Despite initially stating it would not make the change, Google recently updated its maps to label the body of water as the "Gulf of America" for users worldwide.

Speaking on February 13, Sheinbaum emphasized that former U.S. President Donald Trump's push to rename the Gulf is not only a political matter but also a geographical and jurisdictional issue. Trump had declared his intention to rename the sea mass before taking office and signed an executive order to enforce the change immediately after his inauguration. However, most of the Gulf falls under Mexican jurisdiction, and Sheinbaum argues that the renaming should only apply to the U.S. continental shelf.

“The United States cannot unilaterally change the internationally recognized name of this body of water,” Sheinbaum stated in a press conference, highlighting Mexico’s sovereignty over its territory. The Gulf of Mexico has held its name since 1607, long before the U.S. was established. She warned that altering historical names could set a dangerous precedent.

Google responded by stating that users in the U.S. would see "Gulf of America," while those in Mexico would see "Gulf of Mexico." The rest of the world would see both names. The controversy has sparked international debate, with critics calling it an overreach and an unnecessary geopolitical provocation.