Chile's President Becomes First Latin American Leader to Visit South Pole

President Gabriel Boric's historic trip highlights Chile's Antarctic sovereignty claim and commitment to scientific research.

Gabriel Boric is the first Chilean and Latin American president to visit the South Pole, arriving at the US-run Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
The trip, named Operation Pole Star III, aimed to assert Chile's sovereignty claim in Antarctica and expand its role in scientific research on the continent.
Boric was accompanied by scientists, cabinet members, and military commanders, emphasizing Chile's focus on environmental monitoring and climate change studies.
Chile is one of seven countries with territorial claims in Antarctica, though the Antarctic Treaty governs the region for peaceful and scientific purposes only.
The visit strengthens Chile's ambition to position itself as a gateway to Antarctica and expand research efforts to less-studied areas of the continent.