The Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has come out saying that Google isn’t quite right in their decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico – at least, that’s what’s being done on their maps in the United States. Apparently, it’s now being referred to as the Gulf of America. Sheinbaum even went so far as to say that if need be, they’d consider filing a civil lawsuit over this. The reason, of course, being that this change affects the naming of Mexican territory, specifically their continental platform.
A Dispute Over Naming Rights
The whole issue started when Google Maps made the change from Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America for users in the United States. Following this, Sheinbaum stated that Google’s move wasn’t correct and that they’re considering all their options, including legal action. “If we are still insisting, we are also thinking about a lawsuit, because they are appointing about the Mexican territory that is our continental platform,” Sheinbaum mentioned during one of her regular morning press conferences.
The thing is, even though Google is a private company, its influence and reach are undeniable – it’s become an international reference point for many. Therefore, the Mexican government feels compelled to address this. In response to Google’s actions, the Mexican Foreign Minister has sent a letter outlining the details of the decree from Washington, as well as international standards that apply in this situation.
International Perspectives
It’s worth noting that in the United States, government agencies have already started referring to the oceanic basin as the Gulf of America. This change follows a decree signed by President Donald Trump, which instructed the use of the new name. The basin is indeed bounded by the coastlines of Mexico, the United States, and Cuba, but the naming issue remains a point of contention between these countries. With this development, it seems we’re looking at a bit of a diplomatic standoff, with both sides standing firm on their positions regarding the Gulf’s name.