Sat Feb 01 04:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Mexico Protests Google’s Gulf of Mexico Name Change
**Mexico City** – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally protested Google’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico “Gulf of America” on its US-based maps, arguing the tech giant’s move oversteps international maritime law. In a letter to Google, Sheinbaum asserted that a country’s sovereignty extends only to 12 nautical miles from its coastline. Any name change beyond that limit, she argued, is invalid.
Sheinbaum revealed the letter to reporters Thursday, explaining that Google’s action stems from a controversial executive order by former US President Donald Trump. Trump’s order, aimed at promoting “American greatness,” also mandated renaming Mount McKinley to Denali.
While Google Maps will reflect the change for US users, users in Mexico and internationally will see both names, a concession Google made. Sheinbaum countered Trump’s action earlier by proposing a name change for a part of the United States as “Mexican America,” a proposal referenced in her letter to Google. She further requested that Google Maps display a 1607 map showing this historical claim when users search for “América Mexicana”.
Google maintains it follows official government sources in its map updates. However, Sheinbaum’s protest highlights the international ramifications of unilateral name changes affecting shared geographical features.
First Piper 