Mexico is locked in a sovereignty dispute with Google after the tech giant labeled parts of the Gulf of Mexico as “Gulf of America” on its maps. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed Monday that Mexico awaits Google’s final response before initiating a lawsuit, citing violations of international law and territorial integrity.
“Under no circumstance will Mexico accept the renaming of a geographic zone within its territory,”declared Mexican authorities, rejecting Google’s revised nomenclature aligning with former U.S. President Trump’s 2020 decree. The Gulf currently appears as:
- “Gulf of America” within U.S. borders
- “Gulf of Mexico” in Mexican territory
- Hybrid labeling elsewhere (“Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)”)
Google VP Cris Turner defended the policy, stating maps follow “authoritative sources impartially.” However, Mexico argues the U.S. controls only 46% of the Gulf, while Mexico claims 49% and Cuba 5%. Historically termed “Gulf of Mexico” since 1607, the U.N. recognizes the name, fueling Mexico’s case.
The renaming has intensified U.S.-Mexico tensions amid delicate trade talks. Sheinbaum announced bilateral meetings this week to mitigate fallout but warned, “Mexico will proceed to court if Google refuses compliance.” The dispute also pits Trump-era policies against press freedom, with AP and NYT resisting White House pressure to adopt “Gulf of America.”
Legal experts suggest this case could set a precedent for how private firms handle contested geographies. “Corporations can’t unilaterally rewrite history,” stated one analyst. As Mexico mobilizes its legal team, all eyes turn to Google’s next move—a decision risking diplomatic backlash or emboldening nationalist claims.
