Official statements or agreements between Mexico and the U.S.

Trump Renames Gulf of Mexico 'Gulf of America'; Global Opposition Mounts

Jan 23, 2025, 10:10 AM

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," sparking reactions both domestically and internationally. The U.S. Coast Guard referred to the Gulf as the "Gulf of America" in a press release and announced plans to deploy aircraft, boats, specialized forces, and other equipment to secure the country's maritime borders, including surging forces near Haiti and Cuba, in compliance with the executive order. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis adopted the name "Gulf of America" in an official document concerning a weather report, making Florida the first state to use the new designation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded by pledging to defend Mexico's independence and sovereignty, stating that "the world will still call it the Gulf of Mexico." She humorously suggested that if the Gulf's name changes, Mexico might start calling the southwestern U.S. "America Mexicana." The British government announced it would not recognize the new name unless it gains widespread international recognition. The renaming has led to confusion among mapmakers and educators, who are rethinking how to address the changes. Major news agencies like the Associated Press stated they would continue to use "Gulf of Mexico" in their reporting. The move has prompted sarcastic remarks from other world leaders and sparked discussions on the implications of President Trump's "America First" policies.