Mexico’s president is countering President-elect Trump’s suggestion to rename the Gulf of Mexico by proposing a new identity for North America.
Key Facts:
– President-elect Trump floated calling the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”
– Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded by jokingly proposing “Mexican America” for the region.
– Sheinbaum pointed to historical references, including the Apatzingán Constitution of 1814, which referred to “América mexicana.”
– The Gulf of Mexico borders Cuba, Mexico, and the United States, and is internationally recognized by its current name.
– Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador maintained a fragile balance with Trump, a pattern Sheinbaum may follow in her own way.
The Rest of The Story:
Sheinbaum delivered her response during her daily press conference, standing before an old map that labeled North America as “Mexican America.”
Her tone was partly playful as she questioned Trump’s plan, but she also emphasized that international bodies such as the United Nations formally accept the name Gulf of Mexico.
She cited the Apatzingán Constitution of 1814, an early attempt at defining the nation’s laws after independence from Spain, as proof that historical records once called this region “América mexicana.”
While Mexico never used that exact constitution, Sheinbaum argued it showed a longstanding claim to the name.
This exchange comes at a moment when Trump has raised the idea of expanding U.S. territory to include places like Canada and Greenland.
At a separate briefing, Trump referred to the U.S.-Canada border as “artificially drawn,” while also suggesting Mexico remains under the sway of criminal organizations.
Sheinbaum brushed off his remark by pointing to previous leadership, implying that the country has since moved in a more secure direction.
Observers say this public sparring echoes the rhetorical strategy of former Mexican President López Obrador.
While his administration kept face-to-face tensions with Trump at a minimum, López Obrador would still stand up to Washington in front of his own supporters.
Sheinbaum’s approach suggests she may repeat that balancing act, striving to address Trump’s statements without damaging the relationship between the two neighbors.
🚨 REPORT: The President of Mexico has fired back at Trump's plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" by showing a map of Mexico controlling a portion of now-American territory.
"In a press conference, Sheinbaum showed a map of Mexico's former size, which… pic.twitter.com/5C2qLlBMyc
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 8, 2025
The Bottom Line:
The latest cross-border name-calling is symbolic of ongoing tensions between Trump and Mexico.
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Sheinbaum’s lighthearted proposal underscores her willingness to respond firmly but with humor.