Chilean President Gabriel Boric has become the first leader in the Americas to visit Antarctica, after arriving at a US base there.
The president said his visit to the Amundsen-Scott station in Antarctica was reaffirmed Chile's claim to sovereignty On part of Antarctica.
“This is an important event for us,” Buric said in footage shown on Chilean television, before adding, “It is the first time that a Chilean president has come to the Antarctic and talked about Chile’s mission in the Antarctic.”
Buric's office said that Buric traveled with a group of scientists and a number of cabinet members, including the ministers of the Armed Forces and the Environment.
Buric said his visit confirms Chile's determination to play a major role in scientific projects in the region, especially those related to climate change.
The government said in a statement that research centres, universities, diplomats and the armed forces have united to ensure that Chile becomes the world's gateway to Antarctica.
Leftist president Gabriel Buric won Chile's 2021 presidential election He became the country's youngest leader ever, at the age of 35.
Only two other world leaders had visited Antarctica before Buric: the prime ministers of New Zealand and Norway.
Many countries, including Chile, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, have Claim parts of Antarctica And many more exist there.
Antarctica is not a country: it has no government and no indigenous people. Instead, the entire continent is set aside as a scientific reserve.
the Antarctica TreatyWhich entered into force in 1961, enshrines the ideal of intellectual exchange.
The Amundsen-Scott Antarctic Station is named after Roald Amundsen – Norwegian explorer who led the first expedition to Antarctica – And also Robert Scott, the British explorer who preceded Amundsen to the Pole in 1911.
Scott and four of his companions died on the return trip after being caught in a blizzard.
