The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America is now official, despite desperate protests from Mexican leaders. Google, Apple, and Bing have all updated their maps to reflect President Donald Trump’s executive order, solidifying the change in geographic records. While Mexico continues to object, the reality remains unchanged — U.S. territorial waters are now labeled accurately.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has attempted to pressure Google into reversing the update, confirming that Mexico’s foreign affairs office sent a formal request to the company. Google refused to comply, stating that the name change aligns with official geographic standards. Sheinbaum responded by suggesting a lawsuit may be considered, though the legal grounds for such action remain weak.
Trump’s executive order, issued on January 20, directed all U.S. agencies to adopt the new name. While Mexico insists the order does not apply to international waters, the change has already been widely implemented. Some institutions, including the Associated Press and Encyclopedia Britannica, still cling to the outdated name, but their refusal to adapt only weakens their reliability.
Google has adopted a dual-name approach, showing Gulf of America alongside Gulf of Mexico for international users. Apple and Bing have followed suit, reinforcing the correct designation. Despite Mexico’s complaints, the renaming has already gained widespread recognition.
Sheinbaum claims that corporations should not be in control of geographic names, but her protests do not alter the facts. The Gulf of America is now in official use, and no amount of legal threats will reverse that reality.
With the shift well underway, Mexico’s outrage serves only to highlight its refusal to accept a change that is now widely recognized.
