Influencer Pilot, 19, Still 'Stuck' in Antarctica After Case Was Suspended, Claims Officials 'Won't Let Me Fly Back'
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Influencer Ethan Guo, 19, speaks out after his alleged detainment in Antarctica, following accusations he landed on Chilean territory without permission
Guo, who aims to raise $1 million for cancer research, was arrested on June 28 and later agreed to donate $30,000 to a local charity and avoid Chilean territory for three years
Despite reports he is allowed to leave, Guo claims he remains stuck in Antarctica, sharing his story in a statement obtained by PEOPLE on Aug. 14
Influencer Ethan Guo is speaking out following his alleged detainment after being accused of landing on Chilean territory in Antarctica without permission.
PEOPLE previously reported that Guo, 19, began his journey at Genève Aéroport in 2024 "to become the first person in history to fly solo to all seven continents in a small aircraft. The influencer also plans to raise $1 million for cancer research, per his website.
However, Guo was arrested on June 28 by authorities and accused of landing in Antarctica without permission and submitting a false flight plan.
He was granted permission to leave Antarctica six weeks after the arrest. This came after he agreed to donate $30,000 to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days and not to reenter Chilean territory for three years, PEOPLE reported earlier this month.
In a statement to PEOPLE obtained on Thursday, Aug. 14, the pilot claimed that he's been unable to leave Antarctica.
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"I've maintained from the very beginning that I am innocent, so I'm grateful to finally have that officially recognized," he said. "This process has been lengthy, and I believe it could have been resolved much sooner had all evidence been considered from the start."
"I'm still in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight, and I sincerely hope that clearance will be granted soon so I, and my plane, can continue on my original mission of raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," he concluded.
Guo also said he was "grateful" and "relieved" that the charges against him have been dropped, per ABC News.
He claimed that he's lost weight during his alleged detainment on the island, saying he felt like a "prisoner" and that authorities "won't let me leave," according to the outlet.
Guo's lawyer also told ABC News that "despite his exoneration, the Chilean government has not allowed him to fly his airworthy plane off the base."
PEOPLE has contacted the Chilean national law enforcement for comment.
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The content creator also claimed that authorities had told him he couldn't leave due to a number of reasons, including poor weather, the plane not being in the right condition, there not being enough fuel and their belief that Guo is not skilled enough to fly.
"All four of those statements are objectively false," Guo told ABC News. "I have all the paperwork. I have insurance that even covers Antarctica. The plane has enough fuel, the plane is working. And I am a qualified pilot."
Guo also said he wouldn't be able to use a boat to depart due to its infrequent schedule. He added that his goal is to return to his journey.
"I want to be able to continue to fight against cancer and continue the mission," he said.
In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Guo's representatives at Croft & Johnson LLP, wrote, "Despite his exoneration, the Chilean government has not allowed him to fly his airworthy plane off the base, resulting in his de facto confinement on the island for a month and a half."
'The stress of this ordeal has caused a severe deterioration in his health, including a 10kg weight loss and a diagnosis of pericarditis (inflammation of the heart's outer membrane)," the statement continued.
Guo also shared the letter on his Instagram Stories before writing in another post that he was 'free' and that the plane was 'in flying condition.'
'But I'm still stuck in Antarctica because they won't let me fly back,' he added.
He then linked a St. Jude Fundraising page that has so far raised $134,677 out of a $1,000,000 goal.
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