The Argentine Foreign Ministry deeply regrets the death of Antarctic explorer Brigadier General Jorge Edgar Leal on June 10, and conveys its deep condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
After establishing Esperanza Base in 1953, Leal was its first station Chief, and he was also in charge of Belgrano and San Martín Bases.
He was the leader of the famous "Operación 90", which made him the first Argentine (and Latin American) to reach the South Pole through a ground expedition, on 10 December 1965.
As two-time National Director for the Antarctic and a determined promoter of Argentina's Antarctic Policy, he fostered Antarctic cooperation with a focus on Latin America through the Meeting of Administrators of Latin American Antarctic Programs (RAPAL in the Spanish acronym).
As a military officer and explorer, the Brigadier General inspires scientists, technicians and all men and women with the spirit and vocation to work for the Antarctic.
Press release No. 234/17
Press Office: 4819-7375 / 8296 / 7388
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