• Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum asked Google not to implement Trump’s order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, citing international law.
• Sheinbaum proposed featuring a 1607 map calling the region “Mexican America” and emphasized that renaming shared waters requires agreement from affected nations.
• Google stated it follows official government sources for name updates and plans to reflect dual names where applicable for international users.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally asked Google not to implement former U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Sheinbaum made her stance clear during a Thursday news conference, where she shared a letter sent to the tech giant.

Mexico Challenges U.S. Renaming Authority

Sheinbaum argued that the United States cannot unilaterally rename a shared body of water like the Gulf of Mexico. She cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which limits a nation’s sovereign rights to only 12 nautical miles from its coastline. Beyond that, international waters cannot be renamed without broader agreement from affected nations, such as Cuba and Mexico.

“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,” Sheinbaum stated.

Mexico Requests Map Revision on Google

In her letter, Sheinbaum also asked Google to prominently feature a historical map from 1607, which refers to the region as “Mexican America.” She joked that if names were being changed arbitrarily, the United States itself could be called “Mexican America,” referencing the map during the conference.

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

"We ask that when you put Mexican America in the search engine, the map appears that we presented," Sheinbaum told reporters.

Google Responds to Trump’s Naming Orders

Google addressed the situation earlier this week, confirming that it typically updates names on its Maps platform after changes appear in official government sources, such as the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).

"We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources," Google stated on X, formerly Twitter.

The company also revealed plans to rename Alaska’s Denali back to Mount McKinley, following another Trump order. For users outside the U.S., Google clarified that both names for the Gulf and the mountain would appear to reflect local designations.

What’s Next for the Gulf of Mexico Debate?

The renaming debate highlights ongoing tensions over geographic terminology and international boundaries. Mexico’s government aims to protect its cultural and geographic identity, while Google remains neutral, following official guidelines.

What do you think about this renaming controversy? Share your thoughts below and let us know what name you believe should prevail. Don’t forget to spread the word and share this article from The Dupree Report!

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10