Gabriel Boric during his historic visit to the South Pole. 3rd. January, 2025. Picture by Gobierno de Chile.
Chilean president Gabriel Boric has made a historic trip to the South Pole to reaffirm his country’s “sovereignty claim” over its part of Antarctica, according to his office. Boric’s visit has been hailed as a major achievement, making him the first sitting head of state in history to reach the South Pole. While other head of government such as Clark and Stoltenberg have visited the region.
Boric’s expedition was part of “Operation Polar Star III,” which reaffirmed Chile’s commitment to Antarctica’s preservation and scientific research. Accompanied by his defense and environment ministers, as well as three military commanders, the Chilean leader arrived at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, a U.S. research base, at 8pm GMT, his office reported.
Boric is the first Latin American leader to reach the planet’s southernmost point, as stated by his office. “This is a milestone for us,” Boric said, in footage broadcast by Chilean television. “It is the first time a Chilean president has come to the South Pole and talked about Chile’s Antarctic mission.”
Boric planned to spend approximately two hours at the U.S. outpost, situated in one of the planet’s most remote and harshest regions.
“This trip is a confirmation of our claim to sovereignty” over part of Antarctica, he said.
Throughout the 20th century, countries like Chile, France, the U.S., the UK, Argentina, and Japan established research stations in Antarctica for scientific purposes and to solidify their presence in the forbidding region.
Since 1961, activities in Antarctica have been governed by the Antarctic Treaty, which seeks to protect the continent and surrounding seas from geopolitical tensions.
The U.S. State Department states that seven countries, including Chile, maintain territorial claims in Antarctica, but, “…the United States and most other countries do not recognize those claims.”
Boric’s journey began early in the day from Punta Arenas, in southern Chile, and he reached Chile’s research station on the Union Glacier in Antarctica aboard a Hercules C-130 military transport plane.
Boric’s visit comes at a “critical time for Chile’s scientific endeavors in the region,” his office stated. In the past, Chile has focused its research in the northern part of Antarctica, but the South American country hopes to expand its efforts to the Bellingshausen and Weddell Seas, according to a statement from the presidency
“This is a historic moment for Chile,” Boric said, adding, “It is an honor to be the first president to visit this place. To see the Chilean flag among the 12 representing the signatories of the Antarctic Treaty fills me with pride.”
Boric’s visit emphasizes Chile’s strategic interest in Antarctica, a region that has been the subject of territorial disputes over time. Chile continues to defend its claim over its portion of the continent, reaffirming its commitment to science and sovereignty in the region.
Source, wikinews CC A 4.0 and Picture CC BY 3.0 cl.