Chile’s President Gabriel Boric has made history as the first leader from the Americas to visit the South Pole, arriving at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station operated by the United States.
Eko Hot Blog reports that during his visit, Boric emphasized Chile’s Antarctic mission and reaffirmed the nation’s sovereignty claim over a portion of the continent.
Speaking to Chilean media, he described the trip as a “milestone” and said, “It’s the first time a Chilean president has come to the South Pole and talked about Chile’s Antarctic mission.”
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Accompanied by scientists and cabinet ministers, including those responsible for armed forces and environmental policy, Boric underlined Chile’s commitment to Antarctic scientific endeavours, particularly in climate change research.
The Chilean government issued a statement highlighting its ambition to position the country as the world’s gateway to Antarctica, uniting research centres, universities, diplomats, and the armed forces in this effort.
Boric, who became Chile’s youngest-ever president at 35 after his 2021 election victory, joins only two other world leaders, the prime ministers of New Zealand and Norway, who have previously visited the South Pole.
Antarctica, governed by the Antarctic Treaty of 1961, is not a nation but a scientific preserve with no indigenous population.
It is claimed in parts by countries including Chile, the UK, France, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, among others.
The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is named after Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer who first reached the South Pole in 1911, and Robert Scott, the British explorer who arrived shortly after but perished with his team on the return journey.
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