Mexican President Appeals to Google Against Gulf Name Change

The Mexican government is taking a stand against the proposed renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, initiated under the previous U.S. administration. President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly urged Google to refrain from adopting the new designation of 'Gulf of America' on its mapping services.

Sheinbaum articulated her belief that such a unilateral change by the United States is not permissible under international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. According to her, U.S. sovereignty extends only 22 kilometers from its coast, beyond which lies international waters. Consequently, she argues that any name change should be limited to this area. Additionally, she expressed a desire for Google to revert the designation of North America back to 'Mexican America.'

In her communication with Google, Sheinbaum made it clear that Mexico would not accept the unilateral alteration of the Gulf's name, which was announced shortly after Donald Trump took office. Following this announcement, Google indicated that it would proceed with the name change for users in the United States, while retaining 'Gulf of Mexico' for users in Mexico and displaying both names globally. This arrangement has not satisfied Mexican officials, who are seeking a more substantial response from the tech giant.

The response from Mexico highlights the complexities involved in the tech company's handling of sensitive geopolitical issues. Reports indicate that Google has classified the United States as a 'sensitive' region for its mapping services, placing it in the same category as countries like China and Russia. This classification suggests that any changes requested by the U.S. government are to be treated with utmost urgency by Google's mapping department.

Despite the intense discussions surrounding this issue, the name change has not yet been implemented on Google Maps. The situation underscores the broader tensions that can arise from seemingly administrative decisions in the realm of international relations and national identity.