Social media influencer strikes deal to leave Antarctica after being arrested by Chilean authorities

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A 19-year-old American pilot who was detained for more than a month in Chilean-controlled Antarctica has reached a deal to leave the remote location where he has been held.

Ethan Guo was detained after being accused of violating Chilean flight regulations in late June while attempting a solo flight to all seven continents.

Guo began his journey in 2024, with the plan including traveling to 35 countries across six continents. He also planned to document his trip to over 1 million social media followers.

Guo also plans to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research during his journey. He said he was partially inspired to take on this monumental task by a cousin’s battle with blood cancer.

The teen’s travels have included weather diversions, emergency landings and tense encounters abroad.

Chilean authorities said in June Guo was detained after he made a landing in Antarctica that was not authorized.

At the time, CNN reported Chilean officials said Guo submitted a false flight plan before taking off from Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas as the sole passenger and crew member aboard a Cessna 182Q aircraft, registered as N182WT.

During that flight, officials said Guo turned off course toward Antarctica, CNN reported.

Under an agreement approved Monday by a Chilean judge, legal proceedings against Guo will be suspended if he donates $30,000 to a children’s cancer foundation within 30 days and pays for aircraft security and personal maintenance costs.

Guo has then been ordered to leave the Chilean Antarctic Territory and not return for three years.