What's happened
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced potential legal action against Google for changing the Gulf of Mexico's name to 'Gulf of America' on its maps. She argues that the U.S. executive order only applies to its continental shelf, not affecting Mexico's jurisdiction over the Gulf.
What's behind the headline?
Key Points:
- Sovereignty Issues: Mexico maintains that the Gulf's name change violates its sovereignty, as it controls 49% of the Gulf. Sheinbaum emphasized that Trump's decree applies only to the U.S. continental shelf.
- Google's Position: Google claims its mapping policy reflects updates from official government sources, stating that it will not change the name unless directed by the U.S. government.
- Geopolitical Tensions: This naming dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, particularly in the context of trade and immigration policies.
Implications:
- Legal Consequences: If Mexico proceeds with legal action, it could set a precedent for how international naming disputes are handled, particularly regarding shared geographical features.
- Public Perception: The situation may influence public sentiment in both countries, potentially affecting diplomatic relations and cooperation on other issues.
What the papers say
According to Ivana Saric from Axios, President Sheinbaum criticized Google's decision, stating, "What Google is doing here is changing the name of the continental shelf of Mexico and Cuba, which has nothing to do with Trump's decree." In contrast, Business Insider UK reported that Sheinbaum's government has been in discussions with Google since January, emphasizing that any reference to 'Gulf of America' must be limited to U.S. jurisdiction. The Independent highlighted that Google has stated its policy is to consult multiple authoritative sources, which has led to the current naming situation. This divergence in perspectives illustrates the complexities of international naming rights and the implications of unilateral actions by one country.
How we got here
The controversy stems from President Trump's January 20 executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico asserts that the U.S. lacks authority to rename the entire Gulf, which it shares with Mexico and Cuba, as it only controls a portion of it.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of this legal action?
- How has Google responded to Mexico's threats?
- What historical context surrounds the Gulf's naming?
More on these topics
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
The Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent.
-
Google LLC is an American multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, a search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware.
