Mexico Takes Legal Action Against Google Over Gulf Name Change Following Trump’s Directive

Mexico Takes Legal Action Against Google Over Gulf Name Change Following Trump’s Directive

In a bold move to protect its geographical sovereignty, Mexico has initiated a lawsuit against Google. This legal action arises after the tech giant altered the designation of the Gulf of Mexico, now referred to as the Gulf of America on its mapping platform. The change aligns with a recent executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to speak out.

Details of the Lawsuit

During a press briefing on Friday, President Sheinbaum confirmed the filing of the lawsuit against Google, although she refrained from divulging specific details regarding its contents. This lawsuit follows Sheinbaum’s earlier warnings in February about taking legal measures should Google proceed with this controversial name change.

Initial Threats and Diplomatic Efforts

Back in February, Sheinbaum indicated her administration would monitor the situation closely, weighing the legal implications of Google’s actions. She emphasized, “We are going to wait and observe what this would mean from the perspective of legal advice, but we hope that they will make a revision.” In preparation for this possibility, Mexico’s Foreign Relations Ministry had sent multiple letters to Google, urging the company to reconsider the relabeling of the Gulf.

Trump’s Executive Order Explained

On his first day back in the White House in January, Trump signed an order that designated the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. This designation, while significant, is enforceable only within U.S. borders. Ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico is a shared geographical feature, divided into segments controlled by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba.

Geopolitical Implications

According to data from Sovereign Limits, the United States exercises control over approximately 46 percent of the Gulf, while Mexico claims about 49 percent and Cuba oversees about 5 percent. The Mexican government argues that the name Gulf of America should only represent the area of the Gulf that lies over the U.S. continental shelf, making the case that the alteration infringes upon their territorial identification.

Sheinbaum’s Criticism of Google

In February, President Sheinbaum articulated her concerns regarding Google’s actions, stating, “What Google is doing here is changing the name of the continental shelf of Mexico and Cuba, which has nothing to do with Trump’s decree, which applied only to the U.S. continental shelf.” This assertion highlights the heart of the dispute, which revolves around the interpretation and implementation of geographical naming conventions.

Google’s Stance on Naming Practices

In response to these developments, Google Maps began displaying the Gulf of America for users located in the United States shortly after Trump’s order was issued. The company defended its actions by stating that it has a longstanding practice of adhering to the naming conventions advocated by the U.S. government. Google’s policy asserts that when official geographic designations vary across nations, users will see the local names that correspond to their location.

Political Ramifications in the United States

The announcement of Mexico’s lawsuit comes in the wake of House Republicans passing the Gulf of America Act with a narrow vote of 211 to 206. This legislative action represents a significant stride toward solidifying Trump’s order within American law. The bill is now set to advance to the Senate for further consideration.

Seeking Resolution

As tensions rise over the issue, attention now turns to Google, with Fox News Digital seeking comments from the tech company regarding the lawsuit. The outcome of this legal battle could have lasting implications for diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, especially concerning issues of national identity and territorial recognition.

As the situation unfolds, the focus will remain on how Google navigates this challenge and whether the U.S. government will play a supportive role in the broader context of international naming rights.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.