DT23 | Geopolitical Update of the Southern Zone of Chile: Region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica

This southern zone presents significant challenges, such as completing the integration of its land territory, low population density, and complex geography, which demands from the State the urgent task of consolidating its effective sovereignty.

The southern zone of Chile is a geographical area of particular geopolitical and geostrategic interest for our country. This area includes the Region of Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo and the Region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica. This work focuses on the analysis of the latter administrative unit, leaving the study of the Region of Aysén for a future publication. The Region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica is the southern expression of Chilean territory and contains two key maritime passage zones for global navigation and trade. Its capital, Punta Arenas, has become the key national and international center for operations—from the regional level—toward the Antarctic territory. On the other hand, Puerto Williams—the southernmost city in the world—presents growth potential to project national activity toward Chilean Antarctica, given its privileged location. To date, Ushuaia, in Argentine territory, leads in the development of capabilities and facilities, establishing itself in recent years as an important Antarctic gateway.

The Chilean Antarctic Territory, extending from the 53rd meridian to the 90th west longitude, grants Chile an area of 1,250,000 km2, along with a maritime projection of extraordinary economic, tourist, commercial, and environmental potential. In summary, it constitutes a mega natural and geographical unit of incalculable strategic value for Chile and of global geopolitical interest, given the current scenario of competition and confrontation among great powers that define the current international order. It can be stated that there is a geographical, geological, and glaciological continuity between the continental southern space of Chile and the Chilean Antarctic Territory, as well as an evident contiguity or proximity.

However, this southern zone also faces significant challenges, such as completing the integration of its land territory, with a clear low population density and a complex geography that demands the integration of a highly compartmentalized and fragmented topographical area, which poses the urgent challenge for the State to consolidate its effective sovereignty. This occurs in a global context characterized by the transition of the international order, in which competition for control and dominance over key areas is prevalent. Additionally, the potential environmental effects of climate change and the risks of overexploitation of natural resources, which have a significant impact on human well-being, must be considered. Furthermore, it is worth noting the potential weakening of the “Antarctic system”—in light of the current geopolitical challenges facing the region—leading up to the expiration of the Antarctic Treaty in 2048.

Thus, this document aims to propose an evaluation and geopolitical vision of the southern zone, with the purpose of identifying risks, possible threats, and opportunities for this significant national geographical area. This involves reflecting on and strategically thinking about this national geographical space to promote effective sovereignty, development, and well-being, both for the inhabitants of this geographical area and, particularly, for national interests. In doing so, it will allow for the identification of probable public policies for the benefit and achievement of the aforementioned objectives.

To this end, the AthenaLab team developed this study along three lines: gathering background information from bibliographic sources; conducting interviews with political authorities in the area (regional governor and mayor of Punta Arenas), members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Military Labor Corps (CMT), personnel from the Chilean Navy, and scientists from the Cabo de Hornos Subantarctic Center; and conducting fieldwork that required terrestrial and aerial reconnaissance of the Grande Island of Tierra del Fuego, Beagle Channel, and the islands south of the latter, including Cabo de Hornos.