Mexico Sues Google Over Gulf of Mexico Name Change

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on May 9 that the country has formally sued Google Inc. for renaming the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" in its Google Maps service for U.S. users. The lawsuit has been filed, but the specific court and timeline for the submission were not disclosed. This move comes in response to a January 20 executive order signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

President Sheinbaum has consistently opposed this renaming, asserting that the Gulf of Mexico is a name recognized by the United Nations since the 16th century. The Gulf of Mexico is a body of water located south of the United States and east of Mexico. The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America by Google has sparked controversy and legal action, highlighting the geopolitical tensions between the two nations.

The lawsuit underscores Mexico's determination to protect its historical and geographical identity, as well as its sovereignty over the Gulf of Mexico. The legal battle is expected to be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how geographical names are handled in digital mapping services. The Gulf of Mexico has been a contentious issue between the two countries, with historical roots dating back to the 19th century. The region was a point of contention during the 1846-1848 Mexican-American War, which resulted in significant territorial losses for Mexico.

Some historians argue that the Mexican-American War was one of the largest land grabs in history, with Mexico losing vast territories that are now part of the United States, including Texas, California, and New Mexico. The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America by Google has reignited these historical tensions, with Mexico asserting its right to the name based on international law and historical precedent.

President Sheinbaum's announcement comes at a time when geopolitical tensions between the United States and Mexico are already high. The lawsuit is seen as a bold move by Mexico to assert its sovereignty and protect its historical and geographical identity. The legal battle is expected to be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how geographical names are handled in digital mapping services. The outcome of the lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for how countries assert their sovereignty over geographical names and how digital mapping services handle these names.