Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has launched a legal battle against Google, challenging the tech giant's label of the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" on Google Maps for U.S. users. Sheerbaum insists that this name change ignores multiple requests from her administration, asserting that it undermines Mexico's sovereignty over its waters.
The issue escalated after the House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, officially voted to rename the Gulf for federal agencies. The name change was supported by former President Donald Trump, who believed that, since the U.S. undertakes most activities in the region, the new name was justified. However, Sheinbaum counters that the Trump administration's proclamation only pertains to the U.S. section of the continental shelf.
Earlier this year, Sheinbaum appealed directly to Google to reconsider its naming decision and threatened legal action when her requests were ignored. Google responded, claiming the name change aligns with longstanding practices based on official government updates. While users in Mexico still see "Gulf of Mexico," those elsewhere will encounter the alternate designation.
The tension has drawn parallels to other geopolitical disputes, as Trump hinted at a similar renaming of the Persian Gulf during an upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have expressed strong opposition to such changes, warning of backlash.
As this naming controversy unfolds, it showcases how geographical titles can ignite national pride, complicate international relations, and keep tech companies like Google in the spotlight.
The issue escalated after the House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, officially voted to rename the Gulf for federal agencies. The name change was supported by former President Donald Trump, who believed that, since the U.S. undertakes most activities in the region, the new name was justified. However, Sheinbaum counters that the Trump administration's proclamation only pertains to the U.S. section of the continental shelf.
Earlier this year, Sheinbaum appealed directly to Google to reconsider its naming decision and threatened legal action when her requests were ignored. Google responded, claiming the name change aligns with longstanding practices based on official government updates. While users in Mexico still see "Gulf of Mexico," those elsewhere will encounter the alternate designation.
The tension has drawn parallels to other geopolitical disputes, as Trump hinted at a similar renaming of the Persian Gulf during an upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have expressed strong opposition to such changes, warning of backlash.
As this naming controversy unfolds, it showcases how geographical titles can ignite national pride, complicate international relations, and keep tech companies like Google in the spotlight.
