Mexico Threatens Legal Action Against Google Over ‘Gulf of America’ Naming Dispute
The Mexican government has weighed the possibility of filing a civil lawsuit against Google if the tech giant continues to label the stretch of sea between northeastern Mexico and southeastern America as the “Gulf of America,” according to President Claudia Sheinbaum.
This area, historically known worldwide as the Gulf of Mexico, has become a focal point in geopolitical debates, largely due to a decision by former US President Donald Trump to declare it would henceforth be called the Gulf of America.
Trump’s Executive Order and Its Limits
Ms. Sheinbaum emphasized during a news conference that while President Trump’s decree might apply to the continental shelf of the United States, Mexico retains sovereignty over a significant portion of the Gulf.
“We have sovereignty over our continental shelf,” she stated, underscoring Mexico’s authority and territorial integrity.
“If necessary we will file a civil suit … Our legal area is already looking into what that would mean, but we hope that (Google) reconsiders.”
Google’s Ongoing Naming Controversy
Despite sending a formal letter to Google arguing that their practice was incorrect and that the entire Gulf of Mexico could not be rebranded as the Gulf of America, Mexico has found no success in changing Google’s maps.
Google maintains that it follows official government name changes in its mapping services. However, in practice, how the body of water appears on Google Maps varies based on the user’s location.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on February 9 declaring the Gulf of Mexico would formally be renamed the ‘Gulf of America’ by his administration. (AP: Ben Curtis)
Currently, for users in the United States, Google Maps displays it as the Gulf of America. For users located in Mexico, it remains the Gulf of Mexico. In many other countries, it is listed as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”
Mexico’s Stand and Historical Context
President Sheinbaum has strongly advocated for the name Gulf of Mexico, noting that its usage traces back to 1607 and is recognized by the United Nations.
Beyond this naming dispute, it is worth noting that Mexico and the United States have had disagreements over the names of other geographic features, such as the border river between Texas and several Mexican states. Mexico calls this river the Rio Bravo, while the United States terms it the Rio Grande.
Impact on Journalism: AP’s Exclusion
The controversy over the gulf’s name has also affected journalistic operations. This week, the White House barred Associated Press (AP) reporters from several events, including some in the Oval Office, citing the news agency’s stance on the name “Gulf of America.”
The AP uses “Gulf of Mexico” but also acknowledges Trump’s renaming, aiming for global recognition of geographical features.
AP Editor-in-chief Julie Pace criticized the White House’s decision as escalatory and a violation of editorial independence.
“This is now the third day AP reporters have been barred from covering the president … an incredible disservice to the billions of people who rely on The Associated Press for nonpartisan news.”
White House Press Secretary’s Response
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded by defending the president’s executive order, noting that the US secretary of the interior had officially renamed the body of water. She also highlighted that Google and Apple had adopted the new nomenclature in their map applications.
Leavitt’s statement echoed the administration’s stance that only the United States has the authority to change the name within its jurisdiction.
Broader Implications for Press Freedom
The exclusion of journalists from White House events and the threat of legal action by Mexico against Google highlight the sensitivity of naming disputes in international relations.
The White House Correspondents’ Association expressed outrage over AP’s targeting, stating that such actions risk stifling press freedom and could have far-reaching consequences.
“This is a textbook violation of not only the First Amendment, but the president’s own executive order on freedom of speech and ending federal censorship,” said Eugene Daniels, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Conclusion
The dispute over the naming of the Gulf between Mexico and the United States continues to draw scrutiny, impacting the operations of tech giants and the freedom of the press.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches to see how these nations will navigate this delicate geopolitical issue, with potential legal ramifications hanging in the balance.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
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