Mexico City: Mexico has initiated legal action against Google, accusing the tech giant of renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” on Google Maps for American users. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the lawsuit on Friday, stating that the alteration infringes upon Mexico’s sovereignty and the globally recognized designation of the region.
According to NAMPA, President Sheinbaum revealed during a morning press conference that the lawsuit has already been filed, and a preliminary resolution is pending compliance. She expressed concern over the implications of such a name change, emphasizing that while the United States has the prerogative to rename geographical features within its borders, it cannot unilaterally alter names on the Mexican or Cuban sides of the Gulf.
The controversy arises amidst ongoing trade tensions between the United States and Mexico, largely centered on matters of immigration and security. Both nations have been engaged in discussions aimed at resolving these iss
ues. President Sheinbaum has had six telephone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump, maintaining what she described as a “cordial dialogue,” though the naming dispute has not yet been broached in their discussions.
President Sheinbaum highlighted that the resolution sought by Mexico would allow for the U.S. to name the portion of the Gulf that corresponds to its territory but would not extend to the entire Gulf. The legal proceedings underscore the sensitivity surrounding territorial nomenclature and international relations.