Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, took a bold swipe at Donald Trump on Wednesday after he proposed changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
Sheinbaum, during a press briefing in Mexico City, pointed out the historical roots of the region and highlighted an old map from the 1600s to make her case.
Sheinbaum’s Response with Historical Evidence
During her briefing, Sheinbaum unveiled a 17th-century map that showed North America labeled as “Mexican America” in large letters.
The Mexican president further referenced an 1814 document that predated Mexico’s constitution, which also referred to the region now known as the U.S. as “Mexican America.”
With a dry tone, Sheinbaum quipped, “Mexican America, that sounds nice, no?” while pointing to the massive image of the map.
Her remarks came just a day after Trump made his controversial announcement about renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
“We’ll be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring,” Trump said in Florida, insisting that the name was fitting and appropriate.
Global Recognition of the Gulf of Mexico’s Name
Sheinbaum’s remarks weren’t just a playful response—she also emphasized that the name “Gulf of Mexico” is officially recognized by the United Nations.
She was accompanied by Alfonso Suarez del Real, a cultural adviser, who further elaborated on the historical significance of the “Mexican America” name.
According to Suarez del Real, the term “Mexican America” has been recognized since the 1600s to describe the northern part of the continent.
Additionally, he pointed out that the Gulf of Mexico’s name has been internationally recognized and used for centuries as a key navigational reference.
Sheinbaum’s Ongoing Tensions with Trump
This latest back-and-forth is not the first time Sheinbaum has clashed with Trump
In the past, the Mexican president has stood her ground when Trump threatened tariffs on Mexico, accusing the country of not doing enough to curb drug trafficking and immigration across the southern U.S. border.
In response, Sheinbaum wrote a fiery letter addressing Trump’s claims and expressed that Mexico had already been taking measures to address the issues.
She also warned that Mexico would retaliate if tariffs were imposed.
GOP Support for Trump’s Proposal
Following Trump’s announcement, Republican lawmakers voiced their support for his Gulf of Mexico renaming plan.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) even announced that she would introduce a bill to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Greene argued that the entire world should adopt the new name, and the proposed bill would instruct the commerce secretary to implement the name change across U.S. government documents and maps.
The Impact of Trump’s Proposal on International Recognition
While Trump may push for the name change, it’s important to note that other countries would not be required to adopt the new name.
If the name of the Gulf of Mexico were changed, the new designation might not gain worldwide acceptance, as international bodies and nations are under no obligation to follow the U.S. government’s lead on the matter.
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