Mexico Sues Google Over “Gulf of America” Name Change Amid U.S. Political Push

Mexico has launched a lawsuit against Google after the tech giant changed the name of the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” on its mapping service for U.S. users-a move rooted in recent political maneuvers by the United States.

The Origins: Trump’s Executive Order and Congressional Action

The controversy began on January 20, 2025, when President Donald Trump, on his first day back in office, signed an executive order mandating that all federal agencies refer to the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.“ This directive specifically targeted the U.S. continental shelf, the maritime area governed by the United States, and did not extend to waters controlled by Mexico or Cuba.

Seeking to cement the change, House Republicans recently passed legislation to codify Trump’s executive order, requiring all federal documents, maps, and references to use the new name. The bill, introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, passed narrowly and faces an uncertain future in the Senate, with Democrats uniformly opposed and at least one Republican dissenting.

Google’s Response and Mexico’s Objection

Following the executive order, Google updated its maps for U.S. users to display “Gulf of America,” while users in Mexico still see “Gulf of Mexico.” In other regions, the label appears as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).” Google stated that its naming conventions follow official government sources and are applied impartially.

Mexico, however, has strongly objected. President Claudia Sheinbaum and the Foreign Relations Ministry repeatedly urged Google not to apply the “Gulf of America” label to Mexican territorial waters, arguing that the U.S. directive holds no authority beyond its own maritime boundaries. According to international border data, the U.S. governs approximately 46% of the gulf, Mexico about 49%, and Cuba around 5%.

“What Google is doing is altering the name of the continental shelf of Mexico, which is unrelated to Trump’s decree, as it applied only to the U.S. continental shelf,” President Sheinbaum remarked in February.

Legal Action and International Implications

With diplomatic requests ignored, Mexico has now taken legal action against Google. While details of the lawsuit remain undisclosed, Sheinbaum confirmed that proceedings are underway, emphasizing that the renaming should only apply to the U.S. portion of the gulf.

The dispute has drawn international attention, as the Gulf of Mexico has been known by that name for over 400 years and serves as a shared maritime boundary between the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba. Critics of the U.S. move see it as part of broader expansionist rhetoric, with Trump also making provocative statements about other international territories.

Current Status on Maps

The Road Ahead

As the legal battle unfolds, the name of one of North America’s most important bodies of water has become a flashpoint for sovereignty, national pride, and the influence of technology companies in shaping global perceptions. The outcome could set a precedent for how digital platforms handle international naming disputes in an increasingly politicized world.

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