Chile’s president makes historic voyage to South Pole amid Antarctica sovereignty claim

President Gabriel Boric has become the first Chilean president to make a trip to the South Pole in order to reaffirm his country’s “claim to sovereignty” over parts of Antarctica, as the international race over the region’s ownership intensifies.

Boric is the first Latin American leader to visit the South Pole, with the aim of laying claim over a section of Antarctica and advancing scientific endeavors in the region.

“This is a milestone for us,” Boric stated during his visit, which was broadcast by the Chilean national television.

“It is the first time a Chilean president has come to the South Pole and talked about Chile’s Antarctic mission,” he added.

Accompanied by his defense and environment ministers, Boric stayed at the US-operated Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

He also visited Chile’s research base on Union Glacier in Antarctica, underscoring the nation’s scientific commitment to the region.

Boric’s visit serves as a reaffirmation of Chile’s sovereignty claim over parts of Antarctica, where the country has maintained a presence since the mid-20th century.

“This trip is a confirmation of our claim to sovereignty,” Boric said, indicating his country’s intent to deepen its geopolitical and scientific role in the region.

Chile has historically concentrated its geopolitical efforts on the northern parts of Antarctica. Boric’s government intends to expand his country’s activities to the Bellingshausen and Weddell Seas, in the southern parts of the continent.

In a statement, the Chilean government asserted that the country’s armed forces, diplomats, research centers, and universities, have united to ensure that Chile becomes the world’s gateway to the Antarctic.

Boric’s visit follows similar journeys by other world leaders, including New Zealand’s Helen Clark in 2007 and Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg in 2011.

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Antarctica is governed by the 1961 ‘Antarctic Treaty.’ The treaty protects the region from geopolitical rivalries and promotes peaceful scientific research. According to the treaty, Antarctica is not a country and has no government or indigenous population.

However, in recent years, seven countries, including Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK, have put territorial claims over it, asserting their ownership of parts of the continent. Other countries, especially the US have not recognized these claims.

On numerous occasions, the US, which is the most influential country in Antarctica, has shown its unwillingness to cooperate with other countries in regard to either geopolitical sovereignty or scientific research.

Antarctica is extremely rich in natural resources and Major US mining and oil companies have shown their willingness to take over the region for their own economic and financial purposes.

As such, accepting the sovereignty of other countries over parts of the continent may put the interests of US companies in jeopardy.

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