A social media influencer who found himself stranded at an airbase in Antarctica for two months has finally been released. Ethan Guo, at 19 years old, embarked on a solo endeavor to set a record as the youngest person to complete solo flights to all seven continents, aiming to raise funds for Cancer Research. However, his journey hit a roadblock when he ended up stuck at a Chilean airbase after flying there without proper authorization.
Following legal negotiations between Guo’s legal team and Chilean authorities, he has now been permitted to return to the Chilean mainland. Nonetheless, he is required to pay fines amounting to approximately £22,000 for providing false flight plan information to officials. Prosecutors revealed that Guo had only been authorized to fly over Punta Arenas in southern Chile but continued on to Antarctica in his Cessna 182Q aircraft.
After landing in Chile’s Antarctic territory on June 28, Guo was detained at a military base, enduring harsh Antarctic winter conditions with limited communication for two months. A Chilean judge granted his release on the condition that he donate the funds raised during his journey to a childhood cancer foundation within 30 days and promptly leave the country. Additionally, he is barred from entering Chilean territory for three years.
Guo’s lawyer, Jaime Barrientos, defended his client, stating that Guo had to divert his flight due to adverse weather conditions and had received authorization from Chilean authorities. Barrientos expressed satisfaction with the resolution reached with authorities, emphasizing that Guo’s detention was an overreaction.
Guo’s return to Punta Arenas was aboard a navy ship, where he disembarked wearing a Chilean national soccer team jersey. He interacted with the press, describing his detention as a mundane experience with restricted freedoms. Grateful for the hospitality of the Chilean people, Guo praised their kindness, noting how they had treated him like family and even taught him Spanish.
In the previous year, Guo gained attention for his mission to become the youngest person to complete solo flights to all seven continents while raising donations for childhood cancer research.