Fri Feb 14 04:05:33 UTC 2025: ## Mexico Threatens Google Lawsuit Over “Gulf of America” Name Change
**MEXICO CITY –** The Mexican government is escalating its dispute with Google over the tech giant’s use of the name “Gulf of America” for the body of water historically known as the Gulf of Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Thursday that Mexico may file a lawsuit against Google if the company does not revert to the traditional name.
The controversy stems from a decree by former U.S. President Donald Trump to rename the Gulf. While Sheinbaum acknowledges the decree’s impact on the U.S. continental shelf, she emphasizes Mexico’s continued sovereignty over a significant portion of the Gulf and the historical accuracy of the name “Gulf of Mexico,” dating back to 1607.
Sheinbaum highlighted that Google’s map display currently varies depending on the user’s location, showing “Gulf of America” to U.S. users and “Gulf of Mexico” to Mexican users. She described Google’s refusal to exclusively use “Gulf of Mexico” as incorrect. The Mexican government has already sent a letter to Google protesting the name change.
In a provocative move, Sheinbaum suggested that Google should also display “Mexican America” on its maps when searched, referencing a historical designation of North American territory. This is a clear jab at Trump’s actions and underscores the broader implications of altering established geographical names.
This isn’t the first time a naming dispute has arisen between Mexico and the United States regarding shared geographical features; the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande border river serves as a long-standing example. The Associated Press’s own handling of the Gulf’s name has also drawn White House ire, leading to the news agency being barred from several events this week. The AP’s policy acknowledges both names to ensure global recognition. The Mexican government’s next steps remain unclear, but the threat of legal action signals a significant escalation in this geopolitical naming battle.
First Piper 