OPINION - Donald Trump has made a bold announcement stating that we should change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. It may sound odd, but there are some valid points to support this change.
The Gulf of Mexico, an expanse of water vital to North America’s economy and ecosystem, deserves a name that reflects the power and stewardship of the region’s most dominant force—the United States. Renaming it the Gulf of America would better align with the realities of influence and investment in the area.
Mexico’s inability to protect its borders and maintain internal security has undermined its claim to such a significant body of water. The persistent control of vast swathes of Mexican territory by cartels and organized crime illustrates a systemic failure that hampers Mexico’s capacity to assert authority over its land, let alone its surrounding waters. This failure casts doubt on whether Mexico is capable of managing such a critical regional resource effectively.
History also demonstrates Mexico's inability to resist external forces. During the 19th century, the United States invaded Mexico multiple times, resulting in significant territorial losses, including the modern states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Despite Mexico’s defeats in these conflicts, the United States opted not to annex the entirety of the country, leaving Mexico as a fragile and fragmented state. The Gulf, strategically important, remained under shared dominion even as U.S. dominance in the region grew.
Further solidifying this influence, the United States has invested heavily in military and economic expansion along the Gulf Coast. American naval bases and infrastructure along the Gulf form a critical part of national defense and global power projection. The U.S. has consistently protected shipping lanes and responded to disasters in the Gulf with unmatched resources and coordination. Mexico, in contrast, lacks both the political will and capacity to match this level of stewardship.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America reflects the true power dynamics and responsibility within the region. It is not just a matter of asserting dominance but recognizing which nation has invested the most in ensuring the Gulf’s safety, accessibility, and economic viability.
