The Gulf of Mexico Has Been Called That Way Since Before the U.S. Existed: Sheinbaum
President Claudia Sheinbaum shows an old map where North America is called Mexican America. X/ @ApartadoMex
January 8, 2025 Hour: 2:26 pm
The Mexican president responded to Trump’s intention to rename this ocean basin as ‘The Gulf of America’.
On Wednesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum reminded U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that the name “Gulf of America” has been internationally recognized since 1607 and jokingly suggested calling the United States “Mexican America.”
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In response to Trump’s proposal to rename the area “Gulf of America,” Sheinbaum displayed a world map during her morning press conference, stating it was “edited by a Flemish cartographer for the Amsterdam East India Company” in 1607.
This 17th century map of greater Mexico identifies the body of water as the “Gulf of Mexico” and refers to the current territory of the United States as “Mexican America.”
“Obviously, the Gulf of Mexico is a name recognized by the United Nations, but why don’t we call it Mexican America? It sounds nice, doesn’t it? The Apatzingan Constitution referred to Mexican America, so let’s call it that way,” she said.
Sheinbaum was responding to Trump’s remarks from Tuesday, when he suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” while reiterating his criticisms of the Mexican government regarding migration, trade, and drug trafficking.
“Mexico is essentially governed by the cartels. We cannot allow that. Mexico is in serious trouble; it’s a very dangerous place,” the U.S. president-elect stated.
The Mexican president argued that Trump was “misinformed,” suggesting that he might think Mexico is still governed by former President Felipe Calderon (2006–2012), who launched the “war on drugs” that triggered a wave of violence.
“I think President Trump was misinformed yesterday, with all due respect. I believe he was told that Felipe Calderon and Genaro Garcia (former Secretary of Public Security, now imprisoned in the U.S.) are still in power. That’s no longer the case. In Mexico, the people govern,” Sheinbaum declared.
Historian Jose Suarez, a political advisor to the Presidential Communications Coordination Office, presented the 1607 map at the National Palace. He explained that the map shows the “Gulf of Mexico, between Florida and Yucatan, recognized as a key nautical point for navigation.”
“Besides being a historical designation, the name ‘Gulf of Mexico’ is registered with international organizations that have considered it a nautical reference since the 16th century, long before the U.S. existed,” Suarez elaborated.
Donald Trump’s comments about the Gulf of Mexico are part of his threats to impose 25% tariffs if the Sheinbaum administration does not stop the “invasion” of migrants and fentanyl into the U.S.
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE
