The Mexican government filed a suit against Google after the Google Map service for U.S. users had changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to "The Bay of America", - informs The Guardian.
Conflict background
Google's decision was a reaction to a regulation issued by Donald Trump at the beginning of his second presidential term, which afraid the formal usage of the word "Gulf of America" by national institutions for part of the Gulf of Mexico. Although the paper did not apply to the full watershed – any of which besides belongs to Mexico and Cuba – Google introduced a change in the American version of maps.
According to Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, a version of "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)" appeared in Google Maps for the US, which, according to the Mexican authorities, violates global standards of geographical naming.
Mexico reaction and dispute
In February, the Mexican government announced possible legal steps towards the company if it did not reverse its decision. authoritative writings were sent to Google, but, as Sheinbaum reported, in a consequence from Google's vice president for government relations Cris Turner reported that the company was not planning to change its policy in this area.
On 9 May 2025, the U.S. home of Representatives adopted a bill formalising the name "Gulf of America" for national institutions. The bill passed by Republican organization votes – all Democrats were against, and the only Republican who besides voted against was Don Bacon of Nebraska.
The Mexican president pointed out that her country did not accept the anticipation of changing the name of an global tank by a unilateral decision of another country. “We cannot change the names of territories of another countries as they cannot change ours,” Sheinbaum said.
Broader political context
In consequence to US actions, Sheinbaum ironically proposed to name the United States "América Mexicana", pointing to historical maps before 1848, before Mexico lost part of its territory to the US.
However, another technology platforms reacted differently: Apple introduced a change akin to Google, while MapQuest published satirical material mocking the fresh name.
