South American Official Asserts Sovereignty Over Antarctica
President Gabriel Boric has made history by becoming the first leader from Latin America to visit the South Pole, reasserting Chile’s claims to sovereignty in the region. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Chilean President Gabriel Boric has made history as the first leader from Latin America to visit the South Pole, reinforcing Chile’s claims of sovereignty over certain areas of Antarctica.
Accompanied by Defense Minister Maya Fernandez, Environment Minister Maisa Rojas, and senior military officials, President Boric began his journey on January 2, 2025, departing from Punta Arenas in southern Chile on a Hercules C-130 military transport plane. His initial destination was Chile’s research station at Union Glacier before continuing on to the South Pole.
Later that same day, the delegation visited the United States’ Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, where they spent about two hours engaging with researchers and observing various scientific projects. The presidential office indicated that the visit took place “at an important moment for Chile’s scientific endeavors in the region.”
“Llegar al Polo Sur, un orgullo para Chile. Seguimos trabajando para que la Antártica siga siendo un continente de ciencia y paz,” Boric tweeted following the visit.
“This is a milestone for us,” Boric stated in video 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.”
He further emphasized that the visit was “a confirmation of our claim to sovereignty” over parts of the continent.
Throughout the 20th century, various countries, including Russia, the United States, Britain, France, Argentina, and Japan, established research stations in Antarctica for scientific studies and to maintain a presence in this remote area. The Antarctic Treaty, enacted in 1961, has regulated activities on the continent and surrounding seas, designating it as a scientific preserve while prohibiting military operations to minimize geopolitical tensions.
Chile has maintained a continuous presence in Antarctica for decades, operating several research stations and actively participating in the Antarctic Treaty System. Historically, its research efforts have focused on northern Antarctica; however, a recent statement from the presidency revealed that Chile intends to expand its scientific activities to include the Bellingshausen and Weddell Seas.
While seven countries, including Chile, have territorial claims in Antarctica, the US State Department has stated that “the United States and most other countries do not recognize those claims.”
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
Accompanied by Defense Minister Maya Fernandez, Environment Minister Maisa Rojas, and senior military officials, President Boric began his journey on January 2, 2025, departing from Punta Arenas in southern Chile on a Hercules C-130 military transport plane. His initial destination was Chile’s research station at Union Glacier before continuing on to the South Pole.
Later that same day, the delegation visited the United States’ Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, where they spent about two hours engaging with researchers and observing various scientific projects. The presidential office indicated that the visit took place “at an important moment for Chile’s scientific endeavors in the region.”
“Llegar al Polo Sur, un orgullo para Chile. Seguimos trabajando para que la Antártica siga siendo un continente de ciencia y paz,” Boric tweeted following the visit.
“This is a milestone for us,” Boric stated in video 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.”
He further emphasized that the visit was “a confirmation of our claim to sovereignty” over parts of the continent.
Throughout the 20th century, various countries, including Russia, the United States, Britain, France, Argentina, and Japan, established research stations in Antarctica for scientific studies and to maintain a presence in this remote area. The Antarctic Treaty, enacted in 1961, has regulated activities on the continent and surrounding seas, designating it as a scientific preserve while prohibiting military operations to minimize geopolitical tensions.
Chile has maintained a continuous presence in Antarctica for decades, operating several research stations and actively participating in the Antarctic Treaty System. Historically, its research efforts have focused on northern Antarctica; however, a recent statement from the presidency revealed that Chile intends to expand its scientific activities to include the Bellingshausen and Weddell Seas.
While seven countries, including Chile, have territorial claims in Antarctica, the US State Department has stated that “the United States and most other countries do not recognize those claims.”
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
