Gulf of Mexico Renamed: Reactions from Neighbors

Sat Oct 11 2025 23:55:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a controversial move, President Trump’s order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has sparked diverse reactions in Mexico and Cuba.

Following the recent executive order by President Trump to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, citizens from Mexico and Cuba have expressed a mix of emotions ranging from irritation to amusement. For individuals like Francisco Javier Remes Sánchez, a fishing association manager from Tamaulipas, the decision feels like an affront to the historical significance of the body of water. "He’s changing the name of a cultural and natural heritage of Mexico since the 16th century, when the United States hadn’t even been formed," he stated, highlighting the long-standing importance of the gulf to his nation's identity.

While the renaming only applies within the United States' jurisdiction, Trump directed the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that all official references, including maps and federal documents, are updated to reflect this new designation. The Interior Department confirmed this switch last Friday, igniting a multitude of responses across neighboring nations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was quick to reaffirm the name’s significance, stating, “For us and for the whole world, it is still the Gulf of Mexico,” giving rise to a sense of bafflement regarding the rationale behind the name change.

As reactions unfold, the broader implications of this renaming decision resonate throughout international communities bordering the Gulf, which have now turned their focus to other pressing matters and their continuing cultural ties to this much-contested maritime heritage. The contrasting perspectives on this issue display not just regional pride, but also reflect the complexities of diplomatic relations in the wake of such unilateral decisions.