Tensions between Mexico and the United States have escalated over a controversial decision by the Trump administration to rename part of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” In response, the Mexican government has formally warned Google against misrepresenting the region’s geographic nomenclature on its platforms, particularly Google Maps.
Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente sent an official letter to Google’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Cris Turner, on February 11, asserting that any reference to the “Gulf of America” should be strictly confined to U.S. maritime boundaries. He emphasized that any attempt to extend this label beyond U.S. jurisdiction would be seen as a violation of Mexico’s sovereignty.
The dispute arose after U.S. President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172 on January 20, 2025. The order directed the renaming of a portion of the U.S. Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico, specifically the waters off the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, up to the maritime border with Mexico and Cuba.
However, Mexico’s government has strongly objected to the broader application of this label. President Claudia Sheinbaum has warned that Mexico will take legal action against Google if it does not rectify mapping errors that imply the Gulf of America designation extends beyond U.S. territorial waters.
Mexico Draws a Legal Line
In his letter, Foreign Minister de la Fuente reminded Google that international law grants coastal states full sovereignty over their maritime zones up to 12 nautical miles (22.224 km) from their shores. Any attempt to rename waters under Mexican jurisdiction without consent, he stated, would be unacceptable.
“Any reference to the initiative regarding the ‘Gulf of America’ on your Google Maps platform must be strictly limited to the marine zone under U.S. jurisdiction. Any expansion beyond that boundary exceeds the authority of any national or private entity. If this is the case, the Government of Mexico will take the necessary legal actions as deemed appropriate.”
Mexico has provided historical, technical, and legal documentation to Google supporting its position and has offered to clarify any concerns. However, the government made it clear that under no circumstances would it accept a name change affecting its national territory.
A Political and Diplomatic Standoff
The controversy over the renaming is quickly becoming a diplomatic flashpoint between the two neighboring countries. While the Trump administration maintains that the Executive Order only applies to U.S. waters, Mexican officials fear the name change could lead to cartographic confusion, setting a precedent for unilateral territorial claims.
Political analysts note that the move could be part of a broader strategy to reinforce U.S. geopolitical influence in the Gulf region, particularly given its strategic importance for trade, energy production, and security operations.
Google’s Role and Potential Legal Consequences
Google has yet to issue a formal response to Mexico’s demands. If the tech giant does not adjust its maps accordingly, President Sheinbaum’s administration could pursue legal action, potentially invoking international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to protect Mexico’s maritime rights.
With diplomatic tensions rising, all eyes are now on how Google and the U.S. government will respond to Mexico’s firm stance. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing technological influence with national sovereignty in an increasingly digital world.
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