The current President of the United States, Donald Trump, caught everyone off guard by announcing his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump stated that the change was necessary because the United States “does most of the work there” and that it’s “ours.”
“What a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate. It’s appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.”
As he also took the opportunity to criticize Mexico for its handling of immigration issues.
The comment didn’t just stay in the realm of rhetoric. Republican legislator Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she would introduce a bill to make the new name official.
Mexican President Response
Trump’s initiative reached the ears of the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, who promptly addressed it in one of her daily morning press conferences:
“Why don’t we call it ‘Mexican America’? It sounds nice, doesn’t it? Going back to 1607, the Constitution of Apatzingán referred to ‘Mexican America.’ So let’s call it that.”
While not much more was said on the subject initially, on January 20, 2025—following the start of Trump’s second term in office—he revisited the name change proposal in his inaugural speech:
“For years, I advocated in Congress to restore the rightful name for this majestic mountain to respect Alaska’s first people who have lived on these lands for thousands of years. This is an issue that should not be relitigated.”
Who Owns the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin spanning over 1.6 million square kilometers, connecting the shores of Mexico, the United States, and Cuba. It’s a key hub for oil and gas production, accounting for around 14% of the United States’ crude oil and 5% of its dry natural gas.
On the Mexican side, five states share a coastline with the Gulf: Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán. On the U.S. side, they include Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. For Cuba, the provinces of Pinar del Río and Artemisa border its waters.
This body of water is defined by international treaties and regulations, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Its name has been recorded since the 16th century, when European maps began to label it as the Gulf of Mexico.
Is a Name Change Even Possible?
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico would be far from simple. Trump would need the approval of both Mexico and Cuba—something that, given public sentiment, seems highly unlikely.
Additionally, international organizations such as the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names would have to review and approve the change. Altering the name of a shared body of water would be an uphill battle.
Can Trump Do It By Himself?
In theory, Trump could push for the United States to officially adopt the name “Gulf of America” for domestic use. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) can approve new place names for recognition by the federal government, though that wouldn’t ensure international acceptance.
This wouldn’t be the first time a U.S. president has encouraged a geographic name change: in 2015, President Barack Obama championed renaming Mount McKinley to its original name, Denali.
Coincidentally, Trump now wants to reverse that decision and restore the name of President William McKinley to the mountain.
For now, the Gulf of Mexico will continue to be known by its historic name. But when it comes to politics—especially with Donald Trump—you can never be entirely sure what’s on the horizon.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Nayely Aguilera in Cultura Colectiva.
