In a bizarre turn of events, 20-year-old American pilot and social media influencer Ethan Guo has finally been released from a Chilean Antarctic airbase after a two-month ordeal that saw him detained for illegally landing his plane.

On Saturday, Guo, who turned 20 in July, was sent back to the mainland, facing a hefty $30,000 penalty for his unauthorized flight. His attempt to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents took a sharp detour when he was accused of providing false flight plans to authorities.

Originally authorized to fly only over Punta Arenas in southern Chile, Guo found himself heading southward towards the icy expanse of Antarctica in his versatile Cessna 182Q. After landing on June 28, he was quickly detained by military personnel as legal discussions unfolded between his lawyers and the Chilean government.

During his two months in detention, Guo endured the frigid Antarctic winter, dealing with below-zero temperatures and limited communication with the outside world. A Chilean judge eventually agreed to release him on the condition that he contribute the funds he raised for cancer research to a childhood cancer foundation within 30 days. Additionally, he faces a three-year ban from re-entering Chile.

Guo’s lawyer, Jaime Barrientos, claimed his client made the unsanctioned landing due to poor weather conditions and believed he had received prior permission from authorities. Barrientos expressed relief at reaching an agreement with the Chilean government, deeming the process an exaggeration of the situation.

Upon arrival back at Punta Arenas aboard a navy ship, Guo donned a Chilean national soccer team jersey and greeted press members amicably. Reflecting on his time at the base, he described the experience as "mundane" and noted the "limited freedoms" he faced, thankful for the hospitality he received from the Chileans, whom he referred to as family.