Pilot and influencer Ethan Guo released from Antarctic air base after two months

PUNTA ARENAS, Chile — An American social media influencer who made headlines after landing his plane in Antarctica without permission has finally been released after two months of detention at a Chilean airbase. Ethan Guo, a 20-year-old from Tennessee, was attempting to set a record as the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents as part of a fundraising mission for cancer research.

However, Guo’s journey took a turn when he landed in Chile’s Antarctic territory on June 28. Authorities claimed that he provided false flight plan data and had only been authorized to fly over Punta Arenas in southern Chile. Despite these allegations, Guo insisted that he had to divert his aircraft due to poor weather conditions and had received authorization from Chilean officials.

After two months of negotiations and legal proceedings, Guo was released on the condition that he donate the funds raised for cancer research to a childhood cancer foundation within 30 days. He was also required to pay $30,000 in penalties and is banned from entering Chilean territory for three years.

Guo returned to the mainland on a navy ship, wearing a Chilean national soccer team jersey. Despite his detention, he expressed gratitude towards the Chilean people for their hospitality and kindness during his time in the country.