Chilean President Gabriel Boric became the first American leader to visit the South Pole, after arriving at the American base there.
The president said his visit to the South Pole station Amundsen-Scott reaffirmed Chile’s own claim to sovereignty over part of Antarctica.
“This is a turning point for us,” Boric said in a clip shown on Chilean television, before adding “it’s the first time a Chilean president has come to the South Pole and talked about the Chilean mission in Antarctica.”
Boric was traveling with a group of scientists and several members of the government, including the ministers of the armed forces and the environment, his office said.
Boric said his visit underscored Chile’s determination to play a key role in scientific projects in the area, especially those related to climate change.
The government said in a statement that research centers, universities, diplomats and the armed forces have united to ensure that Chile becomes the world’s gateway to Antarctica.
Left-wing president Gabriel Boric won the 2021 presidential election in Chile to become the country’s youngest leader ever, at 35 years old.
Only two other world leaders visited the South Pole before Borić: the prime ministers of New Zealand and Norway.
Several countries, including Chile, the UK, France, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, have claimed parts of Antarctica and many others are present there.
Antarctica is not a country: it has no government and no indigenous population. Instead, the entire continent was set aside as a scientific reserve.
The Antarctic Treatywhich entered into force in 1961, embodies the ideal of intellectual exchange.
The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is named after Roald Amundsen – Norwegian explorer who led the first expedition to the South Pole – and also Robert Scott, the British explorer whom Amundsen beat on the pole in 1911.
Scott and four companions died on the return leg of their journey after being caught in a blizzard.
