Mexico Threatens To Sue Google Over Gulf Of Mexico Name Change

On Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Mexico would sue Google if it continues to label the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America to US-based users, CNN reports. President Sheinbaum contended that President Trump’s executive order to rename it only pertains to the continental shelf’s part under US control.

“What Google is doing here is changing the name of the continental shelf of Mexico and Cuba, which has nothing to do with Trump’s decree, which applied only to the US continental shelf,” told CNN. “We do not agree with this, and the Foreign Minister has sent a new letter addressing the issue.”

Google renaming The Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America

Last week, Google Maps changed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for users based in the US. However, people in Mexico will continue to see the body of water cited as the Gulf of Mexico, while other countries will see both names.

The company announced the name change in January. Subsequently, President Sheinbaum wrote a letter asking Google Maps to reconsider its plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico. In a press conference on Monday, Sheinbaum read out Google’s response to the letter.

“As we first announced two weeks ago, and consistent with our product policies, we’ve begun rolling out changes in Google Maps. We would like to confirm that people using Maps in Mexico will continue to see ‘Gulf of Mexico,’ Google said.

Sheinbaum announced that Mexico will send a letter in response to Google saying any reference to the ‘Gulf of America’ initiative on your Google Maps platform must be strictly limited to the marine area under US jurisdiction.”

Why is the Gulf of Mexico being renamed?

On January 24, 2025, the US Department of Interior said, “These changes reaffirm the Nation’s commitment to preserving the extraordinary heritage of the United States and ensuring that future generations of Americans celebrate the legacy of its heroes and historic assets.”

Google explained on X that the name would be updated once officially recognized in the US Geographic Names System, which could take several months or years. The name will only be changed on Google Maps for US citizens. Countries outside of the US will keep their current name.

Apple Maps also announced it will rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and introduce the name change to all users globally. However, Microsoft’s Bing Maps and MapQuest Inc. have yet to rename the Gulf, as stated by Bloomberg.

Image: Associated Press