Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum presenting a map of "Mexican America" (Credit: AFP)
"Mexican America, that sounds nice," Mexico president pokes fun at Trump
In response to US President-elect Donald Trump's recent pledge to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America," Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed the idea of renaming North America to "Mexican America," referencing an early map from 1607 that featured this historical designation.
"Mexican America, that sounds nice," Sheinbaum remarked humorously, pointing to the ancient map during her daily press conference, where she was joined by former culture minister Jose Alfonso Suarez del Real.
Sheinbaum used the opportunity to delve into a brief history lesson, surrounded by historical maps. Suarez del Real emphasized that the name "Mexican America" has been recognized since the 17th century as the term for the northern part of the continent. He illustrated this point by highlighting the region on the map.
Additionally, Suarez del Real noted that the Gulf of Mexico has been acknowledged internationally for centuries as a significant maritime navigational reference. He argued that this traditional name should not be easily dismissed.
Trump's recent comments about renaming the Gulf of Mexico emerged during a press conference in which he discussed an expansive agenda that included ambitious proposals such as taking control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.
In response to Trump’s assertion that Mexico is "run by the cartels," Sheinbaum firmly stated, "In Mexico, the people are in charge," emphasizing that her administration is actively addressing security issues in the country.
Despite the ongoing exchanges between the two leaders, Sheinbaum expressed optimism for a positive future relationship between Mexico and the US. "I think there will be a good relationship," she affirmed, acknowledging Trump’s distinctive communication style.
