Mexico Sues Google Over "Gulf of America" Label on Maps

Mexico has officially filed a lawsuit against Google following the tech giant’s decision to alter the label for the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" on its Google Maps platform. The change mirrors a controversial executive order issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum made the announcement at a press briefing, signaling an escalation of the ongoing dispute.

The core of the disagreement stems from Trump’s initiative to rename the northern portion of the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." This executive order, enacted during his first day back in the White House, immediately raised concerns in Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is a body of water shared by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, with differing claims of control and jurisdiction over its various sections.

Mexico argues that Trump’s decree should only apply to the section of the Gulf that falls over the U.S. continental shelf. They contend that Google’s blanket application of the "Gulf of America" label infringes upon Mexico’s and Cuba’s sovereign rights by effectively renaming their portions of the continental shelf.

According to data from Sovereign Limits, a database specializing in international boundaries, the United States controls approximately 46% of the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico’s control extends over about 49%, while Cuba possesses jurisdiction over the remaining 5%. Sheinbaum emphasized in February that Google’s actions were not only disrespectful but also legally unsound.

The Mexican government’s initial response to Google’s label change involved diplomatic channels. The Foreign Relations Ministry sent formal letters to Google, urging the company to reconsider and refrain from rebranding the oceanic basin as the "Gulf of America." However, these efforts proved unsuccessful.

In February, Sheinbaum publicly threatened to pursue legal action against Google if the company did not reverse its decision. At the time, she stated, "We are going to wait. We are already seeing, observing what this would mean from the perspective of legal advice, but we hope that they will make a revision." Despite the expressed hope for a resolution, Google stood firm in its decision.

The current display on Google Maps reflects the contentious nature of the issue. Within the United States, the Gulf is labeled as the "Gulf of America." Within Mexico, it retains its historical name, "Gulf of Mexico." In all other locations on the map, it is shown as "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)."

The name "Gulf of Mexico" has been in use for over 400 years, steeped in historical and cultural significance for the region. The sudden shift to incorporate "Gulf of America," particularly in the wake of a politically charged executive order, has understandably generated a strong negative reaction in Mexico.

Google has justified its actions by citing its "longstanding practice" of adhering to the official geographic names designated by the U.S. government. The company’s policy states that in cases where official names differ between countries, users will see their official local names. However, this explanation has failed to appease the Mexican government, which views the issue as a matter of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Following Trump’s order, Google Maps began using "Gulf of America" for users within the United States. This move was accompanied by comments from FAA officials, who publicly acknowledged the new name and expressed enthusiasm for it. Such actions further fueled the perception in Mexico that Google was actively endorsing and promoting a politically motivated agenda.

In February, Sheinbaum shared a response from Google’s vice president of government affairs and public policy, Cris Turner. The communication reiterated Google’s intention to maintain its policy and not reverse the name change in response to Trump’s order. This firm stance from Google effectively paved the way for the legal challenge initiated by Mexico.

The timing of Sheinbaum’s announcement of the lawsuit coincides with the passage of the "Gulf of America Act" by House Republicans. The legislation, approved by a vote of 211-206, represents a significant step towards codifying Trump’s executive order into law. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain.

The lawsuit filed by Mexico against Google raises complex legal and political questions. It touches upon issues of sovereignty, territorial integrity, corporate responsibility, and the influence of political agendas on technology platforms. The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for how geographic names are defined and used in the digital age, especially in regions with overlapping territorial claims and conflicting political interests. It will also be closely watched by other countries that may find themselves in similar disputes with powerful tech companies.