WORKING DOCUMENT No. 30 | Geopolitical Update of the Chilean Antarctic Territory

The icy wind hits hard at the South Pole, where a chrome sphere on a red and white pedestal reflects the flags of the 12 original signatory countries of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. In this inhospitable place, so sought after by explorers of the past, all current territorial claims on the continent converge, perhaps along with those yet to come.

The competition between great powers that characterises current times promises to reach every corner of the planet. Different geographical areas, in one way or another, could be the object of conflict—direct or indirect—or witness tensions in this reconfiguration of the international order.

It is a reality that Chile is a tricontinental country. As noted by General Ramón Cañas Montalva, Chile has a privileged continental position on the western Andean slope of South America, which gives it a clear and definitive projection over the Pacific Ocean. Also, its possessions in Rapa Nui and Salas y Gómez Island give Chile a relevant position in regard to Oceania, and further project its interests toward Asia and the Indian Ocean. Finally, Chile has an indisputable sovereign claim over Antarctica, due to proximity, continuity and geographical contiguity. All these arguments oblige the State of Chile to pay attention to the past, present and, above all, future events that affect its national interests wherever they may be.

In this sense, the situation in Antarctica is unique. The creation of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS)2 has provided stability, with a centralised governance model that has so far been effective and served Chile’s interests. However, there is no guarantee that this will last forever. Quite the contrary, everything indicates that geopolitical pressure and interest in the latest continent to be discovered will only increase over time.

The Chilean State is thus compelled to become directly involved in all Antarctica-related matters, particularly in the South American quadrant. The staunch defence of sovereign rights over Chilean Antarctic territory, as well as the preservation of its habitat, represent a permanent and unavoidable challenge for authorities. Hence, important and varied challenges arise, one of the most obvious of which being the need to inhabit Antarctica more decisively and further south, which still posits a major challenge despite all the technology available for protection against low temperatures. Extreme isolation, changing and severe weather conditions, and the need to travel great distances without reliable communications, are the natural context on the white continent.

Despite all these challenges, Chile must make every effort to positively exercise its sovereign rights within the recognised legal framework. This is not optional, but rather a national obligation, which will undoubtedly become a long-term investment for the country.

In the context of updating geopolitical research into areas of national interest, an AthenaLab team visited Antarctica, including the South Pole, accompanied by diplomats and experts in Antarctic law. They conducted fieldwork aimed to address the challenges facing a country with rights to, and an unbeatable position over, a significant section of Antarctica.

This first section describes aspects related to Antarctic exploration, its natural resources, the most relevant aspects of the Antarctic Treaty system, and a review of Chile’s rights, policies and activities related to the continent. This is followed by an analysis of the geopolitical situation, addressing matters related to geopolitical competition, the overlapping of Chilean sovereignty and claims by other States, as well as the need to prioritise Antarctic affairs, including raising national awareness. Finally, conclusions are drawn, and proposals are made to improve Chile’s position in Antarctica.

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