Francisco Javier Remes Sánchez, a fisherman from Tamaulipas, Mexico, reacted with confusion as President Trump announced the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America through an executive order last week. The name change, while authoritative in the United States, disregards the cultural and natural heritage of the region, a sentiment shared across Mexico and Cuba.
Remes Sánchez, who has spent two decades working the waters of the Gulf, emphasized the history attached to the name, stating, “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.” The new designation is meant to symbolize “American greatness,” according to Trump.
Although this executive order will alter federal references and official geographical data in the United States, it has not shaken the identity associated with the Gulf internationally. The Interior Department's announcement to reflect this change ignited a mixture of bewilderment and amusement in Mexico and Cuba.
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico remarked with humor, “For us and for the whole world, it is still the Gulf of Mexico,” highlighting the disconnect between American policy and the regional reality.
Community members view the renaming as a symbol of a broader disregard for their longstanding ties to the body of water. The Gulf has served as a vital resource for fishermen like Remes Sánchez, who dedicate extensive hours to its waters, illustrating the daily reliance on its resources.
In essence, this naming dispute underscores the complexities surrounding cultural heritage and the significance of names tied to history and identity, particularly as they clash with contemporary political agendas.
