Mexico may sue Google over 'Gulf of America' label on maps

LOS ANGELES - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned Thursday that her government may pursue legal action against Google if the company continues using the name "Gulf of America" on its maps. 

The dispute stems from a decree by U.S. President Donald Trump renaming the Gulf of Mexico within American territorial waters, a move that Mexico rejects.

How the Gulf of Mexico appears on Google Maps

What they're saying:

Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico retains sovereignty over much of the Gulf and that the name "Gulf of Mexico" is globally recognized. "We have sovereignty over our continental shelf," she said, adding that the Trump administration’s decision does not extend beyond U.S. territorial waters.

Google maintains that its naming conventions follow updates from official government sources. In a statement on X last month, the company noted its "long-standing practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources."

A smartphone displays Google Maps that shows Gulf of America, in Mountain View, California, United States on February 12, 2025

Currently, Google Maps shows different versions of the name depending on the user’s location. In the U.S., it appears as "Gulf of America," while users in Mexico see "Gulf of Mexico." In some locations worldwide, it is listed as "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)."

What legal action Mexico could take against Google

What's next:

Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico has already sent a formal complaint to Google, arguing that "the entire Gulf of Mexico cannot be called the Gulf of America." It remains unclear where Mexico might file a lawsuit or on what legal grounds.

This dispute highlights ongoing tensions over geographic naming conventions. Similar disagreements have occurred over the Rio Grande, which Mexico refers to as "Río Bravo."

The Mexican government has also requested that Google display "Mexican America" as a historical reference when searched. Meanwhile, the White House has defended its stance, barring some news outlets from events over their naming policies regarding the Gulf.

Sheinbaum remains firm in rejecting the name change. "The Gulf of Mexico has existed since 1607," she said, reaffirming Mexico’s stance in the escalating dispute.