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坚决维护合法权益 反对美方数字霸权 墨西哥政府起诉谷歌更名“墨西哥湾”
Ren Min Ri Bao·2025-05-20 21:36

Core Viewpoint - The Mexican government has filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the company of changing the name of the "Gulf of Mexico" to "American Gulf" in its mapping services, asserting that such a unilateral change violates international norms and undermines Mexico's cultural and historical identity [1][2]. Group 1: Legal and Political Context - The Mexican government argues that the name "Gulf of Mexico" has been in use since the 16th century and is recognized under international law as a shared maritime area [1]. - In January, the U.S. government signed an executive order mandating the renaming of "Gulf of Mexico" to "American Gulf," urging local governments to adopt this change in official documents [1]. - On May 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill requiring federal agencies to rename all maps and documents to reflect "American Gulf" [1]. Group 2: Ecological and Cultural Significance - The Gulf of Mexico is noted for its unique and valuable ecosystem, being one of the largest oil reserves in the world, raising concerns about the implications of the name change on international agreements and environmental policies [2]. - The name change is viewed not only as a geographical issue but also as a matter of identity, history, and international relations [2]. Group 3: Reactions and Implications - Google stated that while the U.S. geographic naming system has been updated to "American Gulf," Mexican users will still see "Gulf of Mexico" on Google Maps, while users from other countries will see both names [2]. - The Encyclopaedia Britannica, based in the U.S., has refused to adopt the name "American Gulf," continuing to use "Gulf of Mexico" based on its historical significance and the ambiguity of the U.S. government's authority to change the name [2]. - Criticism from Mexican media highlights the name change as an imposition of U.S. narratives over established geographical and cultural realities, describing it as a provocative act [2].