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El influencer estadounidense Ethan Guo, de 19 años, piloto y personalidad de los medios, se encuentra detenido en la Antártida por presentar un plan de vuelo falso en Punta Arenas, Chile, poniendo en riesgo la seguridad aérea. Guo, quien planeaba ser el primero en volar solo sobre los siete continentes para recaudar fondos contra el cáncer, permanecerá al menos 90 días en la Antártida bajo medidas cautelares. Chile reclama soberanía sobre una parte de la Antártida, y al aterrizar en la Base Teniente Rodolfo Marsh, Guo violó normativas nacionales e internacionales, incluido el Estatuto Antártico.
What seemed to be a regular trip for US influencer, Ethan Guo, quickly evolved into a complex legal issue that has left him detained in one of the coldest places on earth: Antarctica.
Guo, who is an experienced 19-year-old pilot and media personality, was planning on becoming the first person to fly solo over all seven continents to raise $1M for cancer research.
However, on june 29th, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Prosecutor’s Office released an official statement indicating that, while in the southern city of Punta Arenas, Guo presented a false flight plan, putting in jeopardy air traffic safety on the area. The defendant was placed under the precautionary measures of monthly signature and obligation to remain in the country.
He must complete these measures from Antarctica while he remains in the territory for the investigation, which is deemed to last at least for 90 days.
But, why did the young pilot need permission to land on Antarctica? Isn’t it considered an international territory? Well, not exactly, here’s why.
¿Why was a US citizen detained in Antarctica?
By taking off Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas and heading towards Antarctica, Guo contradicted the flight plan he had given the authorities, indicating that he would only fly over the city.
The pilot’s defense attorney, Karina Ulloa, indicated that her client didn’t make a deliberate attempt to violate international law. She claims that Guo, during an exploratory flight, experienced various technical complications, loosing contact with the ground.
However, the question many people might have is: why does it matter that he left the country? Well, technically, he didn’t. Chile claims sovereignty over a portion of Antarctica, known as Chilean Antarctica or La Antártica chilena in spanish.
According to the Chilean Army, the Chilean Antarctica extends within the limits of the cap formed by the meridians 53º and 90º longitude west of Greenwich.
By landing at Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base in Chilean Antarctic territory, the pilot “not only violated the Aeronautical Code but also multiple national and international regulations regarding routes to Antarctica and access to the white continent,” stated regional prosecutor of Magallanes, Cristian Crisosto.
The General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) said, “the unauthorized operation at the airfield in Antarctica also implied non-compliance with the Antarctic Statute.”
Could he have landed somewhere else?
Currently, there are approximately 20 airfields and runways across the white continent, belonging to countries all over the world. What if he had decided to land in one of those instead? In fact, none of those airfields are public airports with general access, and he would always have needed authorization to land, in any of them.
Besides, the mere fact of changing the flight plan in Punta Arenas was, in itself, a violation to aircraft safety in the area, also putting in risk other planes who may be travelling in the region.
