Google’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the ‘’Gulf of the Americas’’ for US users, following an executive order by President Donald Trump, has led to diplomatic tensions between the US and Mexico. Mexcion President Claudia Sheinbaum has strongly opposed the unilateraş change, arguing that the naming ignores internetional maritime law and the Gulf’s shared history and geopolitical importance.
The Gulf of Mexico is a significant geographic area shared by Mexico, the United States, and Cuba. It has long been know by this name in internetional treaties and maritime law, The United Nations Conventon on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) limits unilateral territorial claims by defining sovereign rights over territorial waters. Under UNCLOS, a country’s territorial waters are limited to a maximum of 12 nautical miles from the coast, beyond which waters are considered internetional or subject to shared jurisdiction in certain circumstances.[1]
Mexico’s argument against the name change is based on this internetional legal framework. By changing the name of the Gulf, even if only for US users, the Trump administration appears to be asserting a symbolic sovereignty beyond what is legally recognized. The Sheinbaum government has emphasized that such a move is not legally enforceable on the global stage, as the US does not have exclusive rights over the Gulf.
Google’s decision to comply with Trump’s executive order raises questions abaout the role of technology companies in global politics. While the company has stated that is adhering to official government naming conventions, it shows that digital platforms can become a tool for political influence. The selective application of the name change (showing the name ‘’Gulf of the Americas’’ only to US users) acknowledges the argument, while aalso demonstrating the potential of digital mapping technolohies to shape national narratives and influence public perception.
Sheinbaum’s request that Google include the term ‘’Mexican America’’ in this its search results is a countermeasure to challenge the US’s dominance over the region’s historical and geographical discourse.[2] The move higlights the exent of geopolitical power struggles over digital representation and mapping technologies. The naming dispute comes at a time when US-Mexico relations are strained under the new Trump administration. Trump has implemented policies that directly affect Mexico, such as classifying Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, declaring a state of emergency at the US-Mexico border, and imposig a 25% tariff on goods imported from mexico. While these measures have already fueled economic and political tensions between the two countries, the issue of renaming the Gulf is further fueling diplomatic friction.
Sheinbaum’s ironic suggestion that the Nort American continent be renamed ‘’Mexican America’’ higlights Mexico’s resistance to unilateral US policy moves. The administration’s official protest against Goolgle is a response not only to the US ‘s actions but also to the role played by tech companies in amplifying nationalist narratives.[3]
The Trump administration’s tough economic and immigration policies are likely to further strain U.S.-Mexico relations. Tariffs on Mexican goods could have serious trade implications, undermining both countrie’s supply chains and economic stability. Furthermore, Mexican cartels as terrorist on his plans to designate Mexican cartels as terrorist organizatiıns, it could set a dangrous precedent for unilateral military inverventions. Under Sheinbaum, Mexico is expected to respond to such moves with diplomatic resistance, economic diversification, and strategic alliances with global powers such as the European Union and China.
The Gulf of Mexico dispute is one sign that the country will seek to assert greater autonomy while countering U.S. influence in both physical and digital domains. The incident also highlights the growing role of tech compaines like Google in shaping geopolitical narratives. In the digital age, control over information and representation is as important as territorial control. Companies like Google, wich hold vast amounts of geographic and political data, have become the de facto arbiters of national identity and historical legitimacy.
Google’s comğliance with US government directives demonstrates that, despite presenting themselves as neutral entities, tech companies have become key players in state-led geopolitical strategies. This raises concerns about the privatization of information and the extent to which multinational corğorations can influence state policies. In the future, countries such as Mexico may push for greater transparency in geopolitical naming convention decision-making. It could also encourage other countries to develop alternative digital mapping platforms to reduce reliance on US-based tech giants. The debate reflects broader geopolitical themes, such as asserting national identity, the influence of digital platforms in shaping geopolitical realities, and the changing nature of US-Mexico relations. It also raises concerns about whether unilateral name changes could set a precedent for future regional or cultural disputes.
If the name ‘’Gulf of the Americas’’ is accepted, it could become part of a broader strategy to reshape regional geopolitics in favor of U.S. interests. In contrast, Mexico’s strong resistance demonstrates its determination to maintain its sovereignty and historical legitimacy on the international stage. The consequences of this dispute could have long-term implications for how geographic naming conventions are negotiated in the digital age.
Mexico’s rejection of this change demonstrates its commitment to invernational law and its resistance to unilateral U.S. moves. Googl’s compşiance with government directives, on the other hand, highlights the growing intersection between technology and politics. This debate is a significant example of how territorial claims and national identity are shaped in both the physical and digital realms in international relations.
[1] “Mexico president to Google: Wrong to accept Trump’s Gulf of Mexico name change”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-president-presents-letter-google-about-gulf-mexico-name-change-2025-01-30/, (Date Accession: 30.01.2025).
[2] “Mexico to question Google over Gulf name change after Trump order”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/29/mexico-google-gulf-america-name-change-trump, (Date Accession: 30.01.2025).
[3] Ibid.
