US Air Force Boeing C-40 Clipper. Photo: Agenda Malvinas.
It landed in the town of Ushuaia, whose port is of vital importance to the economy, the defense of Argentine sovereignty and access to the Antarctic continent.
This Sunday, the Malvinas Argentinas International Airport in Ushuaia witnessed an unusual event when a US Air Force Boeing C-40 Clipper landed in the capital of Tierra del Fuego at 11:22 AM, arriving from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The aircraft, which made previous stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Buenos Aires, generated considerable uncertainty, as local sources reported that there was no prior communication from the Argentine National Government or defense agencies authorizing its arrival.
The government of Gustavo Melella, who leads the province of Tierra del Fuego, was unaware of the aircraftâs arrival and lacked the authority to allow or deny the landing, leading to confusion and questions about the lack of control over provincial airspace. The reason for the landing and the identities of the aircraftâs occupants are currently unknown.
The situation became even more intriguing with the itinerary of two other private planes that departed from San Fernando for Ushuaia. Their destination and purpose remain a mystery, raising concerns about possible secret or unknown agreements between the Argentine government and the United States to hand over control of the strategic port of Ushuaia, a key point for tourism and access to Antarctica.
đŠđ·đșđž | Un aviĂłn de la Fuerza AĂ©rea de Estados Unidos aterrizĂł este domingo en Ushuaia, horas despuĂ©s de que el Gobierno nacional interviniera el puerto. La aeronave partiĂł desde Maryland y realizĂł escalas en San Juan y Aeroparque. pic.twitter.com/TguEjJq8nx
— Mundo en Conflicto đ (@MundoEConflicto) January 25, 2026
This port, vital to both the local economy and the defense of Argentine sovereignty, has historically been a site of high interest in the geopolitical context of the Antarctic continent.
Adding to this episode is the recent intervention of the Milei administration in Ushuaiaâs port infrastructure. The National Ports and Navigation Agency (ANPyN) decided to take control of port management for 12 months due to alleged financial irregularities and infrastructure problems.
The measure, formalized through Resolution 4/2026, states that the province used port resources to finance social programs, violating a previously signed agreement stipulating that these funds must be reinvested exclusively in port activities.
AterrizĂł sin aviso un aviĂłn de la FUERZA ĂEREA de Estados Unidos en Ushuaia, dos dĂas despuĂ©s de que Milei interviniera el Puerto Ushuaria. Nadie del gobierno informa nada. Ni para quĂ© aterrizĂł un aviĂłn militar extranjero ni por quĂ© intervinieron el Puerto pic.twitter.com/p92Pf8DiUa
— Arrepentidos de Milei (@ArrepentidosLLA) January 26, 2026
The governor of Tierra del Fuego, Gustavo Melella, expressed his rejection of the intervention, calling the measure unjustified and unfounded. Through his social media account, Melella emphasized that the province was working to resolve the problems and defended the regionâs autonomy.
He also insisted that the local government was in contact with the Minister of the Interior, Diego Santilli, to find a solution that would guarantee the portâs normal operation.
In addition to the intervention in the portâs management, the resolution also orders the suspension of the portâs operating license for one year. However, the implementation of this sanction has been postponed to avoid disrupting the 2025-2026 cruise season or affecting the regionâs supply chain.
The immediate intervention will be limited to the machinery, facilities and the management of funds, which keeps various sectors linked to the port and maritime trade in the area on alert.
(teleSUR)
