Ron DeSantis, the first governor in the US to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America”

Florida has made history by becoming the first state to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of Florida has made history by becoming the first state to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” (or Gulf of the United States) through an executive order signed by its governor. This decision, issued through Executive Order 25-13, comes amid a state of emergency declared due to severe winter storms and high winds affecting northern regions of the state. The measure marks Florida as the first to officially adopt the new name, with the aim of promoting a national rebranding effort.

Executive order and weather impact

The executive order states: “An area of low pressure moving across the Gulf of the United States, interacting with Arctic air, will bring widespread and impactful winter weather to northern Florida starting Tuesday, January 21, 2025.” The document emphasizes a shift in the country’s territorial identity.

This renaming is part of a broader initiative that began with remarks from former President Donald Trump. The day before, Trump had stated: “The United States will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, and most respected nation on the planet, inspiring awe and admiration worldwide. Soon, we will rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.”

The order signed by Ron DeSantis has sparked international controversy, particularly in Mexico, where officials made it clear that the name change will not be recognized outside of the United States. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded, saying, “For us, it remains the Gulf of Mexico, and for the rest of the world, it is still the Gulf of Mexico.”

DeSantis conservative leadership

Since taking office as Florida’s governor in 2019, Ron DeSantis has become a leading figure in the Republican Party, driving policies that have reshaped the state. Last year, he ran in the Republican primaries for the 2024 presidential election but reaffirmed his support for Trump after his defeat, further consolidating his position within the party.

Graduating from Yale and Harvard, DeSantis served as a general counsel officer in the U.S. Navy. Since taking office, he has passed significant legislation, including laws limiting sexual education in schools, banning sanctuary cities, and restricting abortion access after six weeks of pregnancy.

With the “Gulf of America” initiative, Ron DeSantis has further aligned Florida with Trump’s conservative vision. While the name change is likely to remain a topic of debate, the move signifies a bold step in reshaping the national and international perception of this key body of water.