Ethan Guo, a young American pilot and influencer who spent the past two months detained at a Chilean military base in Antarctica, was released back to the mainland on Saturday.
Guo, 20, also agreed to pay $30,000 in penalties in the form of a donation to a children’s cancer foundation.
The young pilot was on a mission to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents earlier this year, but hit a snag in late June when he landed in Antarctica.
Guo chronicled his journey as a mission to raise money for cancer research, and landed in Chile’s Antarctic territory on June 28, near the depths of the Antarctic winter.
But to his surprise, Chilean authorities prevented him from leing. Investigators said he filed a false flight plan when he departed Punta Arenas, Chile, claiming he promised to simply fly over the city but instead took off for Antarctica.
Guo’s attorneys said he was forced to head for the world’s southernmost continent due to weather in the area. Once he landed, he was detained at a Chilean military base while his case played out.
Guo reached his settlement with the Chilean government a few weeks ago, but weather prevented his departure until Saturday. The settlement also involves leing Chile as soon as possible and not returning for at least three years.
Despite his disrupted summer, Guo said he harbored no ill will toward Chile.
“The Chilean people he been incredibly hospitable, they’ve been fantastic people,” he said upon arrival back in Punta Arenas. “They’ve taken care of me. They’ve taught me Spanish, and they’ve treated me like family.”
With News Wire Services
Originally Published: September 7, 2025 at 4:13 PM EDT