Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum fired back at Donald Trump’s recent comments about renaming the Gulf of Mexico, sarcastically suggesting that the United States should instead be called “Mexican America.”
Sheinbaum’s remarks came during a morning press conference in response to Trump’s pledge to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” Displaying a 17th-century map labeling North America as “Mexican America,” she pointed out the historical context and the internationally recognized name of the Gulf according to the United Nations.
“If we’re renaming things, why not call the United States ‘Mexican America’? It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” Sheinbaum quipped, countering Trump’s proposal.
She also expressed confidence in maintaining positive relations with Trump’s administration, despite his provocative rhetoric. Trump, who will be sworn in for a second term on January 20, defended his renaming idea by saying, “The Gulf of America has a beautiful ring to it. It’s appropriate. And Mexico must stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.”
In response to Trump’s assertion that Mexico is controlled by drug cartels, Sheinbaum retorted, “In Mexico, the people rule.”
As Trump prepares to return to office, he has intensified his criticism of Mexico, threatening steep tariffs on imports unless the country curbs illegal migration and drug trafficking. He has also revisited plans from his first term to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
