At Saturday’s ceremony in the port of Buenaventura to bid farewell to the Simón Bolivar ship, which will undertake the Tenth Colombian Expedition to Antarctic territory, Colombian President Gustavo Petro emphasized the importance of studying the consequences of global warming.

“If Antarctica, the South Pole, melts, the sea will rise 10 meters and 10 meters means that many coastal cities in the world, including those in Colombia, will have to retreat, if we are not able to stop this climate crisis,” he said.

The head of State highlighted that the ARC Simón Bolívar was built entirely in Colombia.

“An immense scientific ship, with systems, prepared for the scientific research, which was built in the port of Cartagena by the National Navy, Cotecmar, and it is one of the fundamental facts,” Petro pointed out. He considered that “the Colombian Public Force can be the foundation in the construction of the national industry,” and noted that on January 31, 2024, he will travel to Antarctica to visit the crew and researchers.

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