Mexico threatens legal action against Google over gulf rename
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, warned Google about a possible lawsuit regarding the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" on maps in the USA. In response to the wave of criticism, Google Maps decided to block the option to add reviews for this water body.
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed her dissatisfaction with Google's decision to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on maps available to users in the United States. During a press conference, she announced the possibility of filing a civil lawsuit against the tech giant if they do not revert this change.
The name change on Google Maps was implemented according to a decision by former US President Donald Trump's administration. Users in Mexico still see the traditional name, while in other countries, both versions are available. Sheinbaum emphasizes that the name Gulf of Mexico is historically established and recognized internationally.
Gulf of Mexico or Gulf of America?
The President of Mexico stressed that the US authorities have no right to decide the name of the entire water body, only the stretch near their coast. "If necessary we will file a civil suit. Our legal area is already looking into what that would mean, but we hope that (Google) reconsiders," said Sheinbaum.
As reported by the BBC, Google Maps decided to block reviews for the Gulf of Mexico after facing criticism for renaming it to "Gulf of America" for users in the United States.
This change was implemented after President Donald Trump ordered it to be included in official government documents. Currently, clicking on the Gulf's label in Google Maps displays a note announcing that "posting is currently disabled."
Tensions between Mexico and the USA
The renaming of the gulf is another point of contention between Mexico and the United States. Upon taking office, Donald Trump threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexican goods, arguing that the country should be more involved in curbing illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling to the USA.
After negotiations, the tariffs were suspended until March 1st, in exchange for Mexico's concessions regarding border security. The President of Mexico repeatedly protested against the actions of the US administration, emphasizing that decisions concerning geographical names should be made with respect for international standards and history.
