When consumers learned that Google Maps had changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” in its most recent update, Google sparked a global uproar. Government authorities in Mexico and Latin America are calling for an swift adjustment to the unanticipated alteration that was initially noticed by internet users over the weekend.
Although Google has not yet issued an official statement outlining the decision, conjecture is rife on whether this is a deliberate upgrade influenced by the U.S. government, a technical error, or a politically driven action.
Google Maps Users Shocked by Name Change
Late Sunday evening was when users first saw the Gulf of America designation on Google Maps. Social media was inundated with screenshots within hours, and many people questioned whether Google had changed geography on its own.
- “A whole continent is being gaslighted by Google Maps. The Gulf of Mexico has long been the location.
- “Surely this is an April Fool’s joke? The month is February.
- “What comes next? Will the Pacific Ocean also be renamed the “American Ocean”?
As the dispute grew, Mexican authorities issued a statement denouncing the alteration as a “blatant disrespect to national sovereignty” and requesting that Google quickly return the Gulf of Mexico to its former name.
Is This a Political Move? U.S. and Mexico React
Although Google has not given an official explanation, some observers think the shift may be related to growing American control over Gulf oil deposits and continuing hostilities between Mexico City and Washington over border security and energy policy.
The outcry has been immediate in Mexico. In his morning news conference, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) discussed the matter and referred to the name change as “offensive and unacceptable.”
“This is an attempt to erase history and disrespect the people of Mexico,” AMLO stated. “We demand Google take responsibility.”
The State Department has declined to comment on whether the Biden administration or Congress were involved in advocating for the name change, and U.S. officials have mostly stayed mute in the meanwhile.
Google Responds to ‘Gulf of America’ Backlash
Google ultimately released a brief comment on Monday afternoon following a barrage of criticism, but it did not clarify if the name change was an accident or an planned move.
“We are aware of reports regarding the labeling of certain geographic locations on Google Maps. We are investigating the issue and will provide updates as needed,” a Google spokesperson said.
This lack of response only served to increase conjecture; some claim Google is attempting a permanent rebranding of the Gulf’s name, while others maintain that Google’s mapping algorithms made an error.
What Happens Next? Will Google Reverse the Change?
Google will probably come under increasing pressure to change the Gulf of America designation back to the more conventional Gulf of Mexico appellation as the outcry grows. With hashtags like #GolfoDeMéxicoEsMéxico and #GoogleMapsFail trending globally, protests are already starting on social media as the Mexican government prepares to submit an official diplomatic complaint.
The dispute around Google Maps’ contentious upgrade is still ongoing, and it will be interesting to watch if the change endures or quietly vanishes in a later version.
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