A teenage influencer from the US has been stranded in a remote region of Antarctica for nearly two months.

Last year, Ethan Guo embarked on a bold fundraising mission for childhood cancer research, with the goal of raising $1 million.

However, Chilean authorities have accused the 19-year-old of illegally landing his plane in the Chilean territory of King George Island, located off the Atlantic coast.

They also accused him of providing ‘false flight plan data’ and travelling to the island. Chile asserts ownership of the island, which lies approximately 75 miles off the coast of Antarctica.

On 29 June, Guo was charged with providing false information to ground control and landing without authorisation - both violations of the Chilean Aeronautical Code, which could result in short-term imprisonment or a fine.

However, on Monday (11 August), a judge dismissed his charges, and Guo has remained in Antarctica since then.

Who is Ethan Guo?

Ethan Guo has been stranded in Antarctica for two months (Ethan Guo)

Guo's passion for aviation began when he was 13, and he earned his private pilot license at 17. He was homeschooled to accommodate his flight training (via The Independent).

Last year, the 19-year-old embarked on a bold fundraising mission for childhood cancer research, aiming to raise $1 million.

His journey across seven continents started in September in Memphis, Tennessee, inspired by his cousin, who was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2021.

He also aims to become the first person to fly solo across all seven continents, piloting a 50-year-old single-engine Cessna 182Q to achieve this feat.

Now with 1.4 million followers on Instagram, he has logged over 700 hours of flight time, according to The Independent.

Why did Chilean authorities detain Guo?

Having traveled to six continents, Guo landed his plane on King George Island in June, where he was detained at the airport.

Prosecutors claim he was only authorized to fly to the Chilean city of Punta Arenas, commonly used as a base for trips to Antarctica.

Authorities further claim that the teenager's flight plan only included a landing in Punta Arenas, CBS News reports.

Chilean prosecutor Cristián Cristoso stated he had violated 'multiple national and international' rules, and his flight posed a potential safety risk to other flyers.

Why is Ethan Guo stranded?

Guo is raising money for childhood cancer research (Ethan Guo)

An agreement was reached between Guo's lawyers and Chilean prosecutors, where the charges would be dropped in exchange for a $30,000 donation to a children's cancer foundation and his immediate departure from Chile - an outcome he described as 'relieving'.

He is also barred from returning to Chilean territory for three years.

Following his charge, Guo stayed at a military base for six weeks, although he was not required to stay there, he needed to remain within Chilean territory.

However, extreme weather has made it challenging for him to take a flight back to the US, and Cristoso stated his plane 'does not have the capabilities to make a flight'.

Speaking to The Associated Press, he is awaiting approval for his departure flight from Antarctica, adding: "I sincerely hope they grant it soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission."

You can read more about Guo's goal here.