Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is contemplating legal action against Google for changing the name of the ‘Gulf of Mexico’ to the ‘Gulf of America’ in its mapping technology. This alteration came after an executive order from President Donald Trump, which also renamed Alaska’s Denali mountain to Mount McKinley.
Concerns and Responses
Sheinbaum expressed concerns over the implications of this change and stated, ‘We are evaluating the legal aspects of this situation and hope that Google will reconsider its decision.’ She highlighted that Google Maps, despite being widely used, is not an international standard but has become a global reference.
Decree Clarification
The Mexican President emphasized that Trump’s executive order may only apply to U.S. territory, which represents a small portion of the entire gulf. She urged Google to review the decree carefully, pointing out that it does not encompass the entire gulf region. However, discussions with the company have not yielded any resolution so far.
Industry-wide Changes
Google is not the sole entity revising its geographical labels. Apple also implemented the ‘Gulf of America’ naming convention, and various government institutions have followed suit post the executive order. The White House even restricted an Associated Press reporter from an event due to the news agency’s persistent use of ‘Gulf of Mexico’ in its reports.
International Implications
The White House’s insistence on the ‘Gulf of America’ designation extends to international recognition. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the importance of this change not just domestically but also on a global scale.
Sheinbaum’s administration is closely monitoring the situation and may pursue legal recourse if Google does not reconsider its naming decision. The debate over geographical nomenclature continues to spark discussions about sovereignty, international standards, and the influence of digital mapping platforms.
