Mexico Takes Legal Action Against Google Over Controversial Map Renaming

When former U.S. President Donald Trump declared his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” the statement sparked widespread mockery online. Now, Mexico’s government is taking formal steps to challenge the change, particularly after Google Maps adopted the new label.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Friday (May 9) that her administration has filed a lawsuit against Google for altering the body of water’s name on its mapping service. Reports indicate that Google disregarded multiple appeals from Mexican officials to revert the change.

The controversy stems from an executive order Trump signed early in his second term, directing U.S. authorities to recognize the area as the “Gulf of America.” While addressing the media, Sheinbaum stated that legal proceedings were underway but withheld specifics regarding the court or filing date.

“The case has already been submitted,” she said. “Our demand is simple—the U.S. government’s directive should be respected, but only within their jurisdiction. They have no right to rename the entire gulf, just the portion within their continental shelf.”

Before pursuing legal action, Mexico’s foreign ministry urged Google to reject the rebranding. However, internal correspondence shared by Sheinbaum revealed that Cris Turner, Google’s Vice President of Government Affairs, refused to undo the update.

Currently, Google Maps displays different names depending on the user’s location: Americans see “Gulf of America,” Mexicans see the traditional name, and international users see a dual label—”The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”

Turner defended the decision, stating that the adjustment aligns with Google’s policy of applying map updates “fairly and uniformly worldwide.”

Meanwhile, tensions over the renaming have escalated beyond the digital sphere. The Associated Press lost White House press privileges after declining to adopt the new term in its editorial guidelines. Additionally, Trump has disregarded court orders to restore the AP’s access.

Google has yet to comment on Mexico’s lawsuit.

The executive order only binds U.S. and Mexican entities; other nations remain free to use the original name. Historical records, including a 1970s State Department document, define the maritime border between the two countries as beginning at the Rio Grande’s mouth and extending along a fixed boundary.

In a recent development, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to codify Trump’s name change into law, mandating federal agencies to update official maps. The legislation passed with near-unanimous Republican support but faces slim chances in the Senate, where it would need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.

Sheinbaum has previously mocked Trump’s move by proposing that the U.S. itself be renamed “América Mexicana” (Mexican America), citing an 1814 historical document. With a hint of sarcasm, she remarked, “That has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”