Written by Michael Thervil
Photo by Reuters
With every country looking at both the coldest regions of the world (North and South Poles) essentially as a goldmine trapped in a deep freezer, the President of Chile is no exception to the rule. Recently it was reported that the President of Gabriel Boric took the time out to not only take a trip to the Antarctic (South Pole), but he also went there for a tour of the Amundsen-Scott Pole Station (an American research base) with three American military generals.
What you need to know about the South Pole is that they have been and are restricted areas of the global that’s sequestered off for the sole purpose of scientific research bound by the Antarctic Treaty of 1961 which is an internationally recognized treaty that Chile signed by 12 initial signees (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR) and now has expanded to another 46 signees. The Antarctic Treaty of 1961 prohibits Antarctica from being used for nuclear testing, territorial claims, and military applications.
However, with nations looking to capitalize on, if not exploit, the vast amounts of natural resources that lie beneath the ice in both Antarctica and the Arctic Circle, it's safe to say that what was once only reserved for scientific research could possibly change in the future if the conditions change and the opportunity presents itself. In other words: yes, it’s scholastically cool to make discoveries and understand both the earth and how mankind evolved it – but it's another thing to understand that governments will always find a way to circumvent their own agreements and in this case treaties.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric stated in a public address that “this is a milestone for us” – “it’s the first time that a Chilean President has come to the south pole and talked about Chile’s Antarctic mission”. He also stated that the trip to Antarctica: “is a confirmation of our claim to sovereignty”. What exactly does President Gabriel Boric mean by this is still being questioned.
What the true mission of Chile is in Antarctica is unclear outside of the country's claims of environmental protection and scientific endeavors. Remember every government acts in its own best interests. During President Gabriel Boric’s 2-day visit to Antarctica he flew on an American C-130 (military aircraft) and toured the Amundsen-Scott Pole Station (an American research base) with three American military generals.
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