On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum brought attention to a historical name for the territory, suggesting that it should be called "America Mexicana" as a retort to President-elect Donald Trump's recent proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America." During her news conference, Sheinbaum referenced a map from 1607, highlighting the area that now includes the United States, Mexico, and parts of Canada, and posed the question of whether "America Mexicana" wouldn't sound appealing.

Sheinbaum's remarks were supported by politician Jose Alfonso Suarez del Real, who noted that the name "America Mexicana" appeared on a European map made for the Dutch East India Company over four centuries ago. Additionally, the term is derived from Mexico's Constitution of Apatzingán, which was crafted during the country's struggle for independence from Spanish colonizers. She emphasized the historical significance of the name, recalling that the Constitution of Apatzingán referred to the territory as "America Mexicana," and declared that it would be fitting to adopt this name.

Moreover, Sheinbaum took the opportunity to counter Trump’s remarks about Mexico being governed by drug cartels, asserting that such views stemmed from outdated information regarding former President Felipe Calderón's administration. She firmly stated, "But no. In Mexico, the people rule," underscoring the country's current political landscape and leadership.