As President Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, the ripple effects were felt throughout Mexico and Cuba, sparking confusion, laughter, and indignation. Francisco Javier Remes Sánchez, who oversees a fishing association in Mexico, voiced his concerns about the implications of this renaming. He emphasized that the gulf has been a part of Mexican heritage since the 16th century, long before the formation of the United States.
While Trump’s directive alters the name only in the United States, it poses questions about cultural intersections and historical claims. The Secretary of the Interior was tasked with eliminating the Gulf of Mexico from the federal geographic database. On Friday, the transition was officially announced, further solidifying the change in U.S. policies.
However, leaders and citizens in Mexico and Cuba responded with skepticism and mirth. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico highlighted the absurdity of the decision, stating, “For us and for the whole world, it is still the Gulf of Mexico,” showcasing the international sentiment that borders should not dictate cultural identity.
The reactions illustrate a blend of annoyance and defiance, as the renaming efforts fail to erase decades of history and shared geography that define the region.
While Trump’s directive alters the name only in the United States, it poses questions about cultural intersections and historical claims. The Secretary of the Interior was tasked with eliminating the Gulf of Mexico from the federal geographic database. On Friday, the transition was officially announced, further solidifying the change in U.S. policies.
However, leaders and citizens in Mexico and Cuba responded with skepticism and mirth. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico highlighted the absurdity of the decision, stating, “For us and for the whole world, it is still the Gulf of Mexico,” showcasing the international sentiment that borders should not dictate cultural identity.
The reactions illustrate a blend of annoyance and defiance, as the renaming efforts fail to erase decades of history and shared geography that define the region.
