MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Esmeralda” in Punta Arenas.

Chilean Navy training vessel “Esmeralda” on its 48th instruction cruise arrived Monday morning in Punta Arenas. On Sunday tall ship “Esmeralda” taking advantage of the mild winds, 10 to 15 knots, had crossed Cape Horn with its almost 3,000 square metres of sails fully displayed.

"Esmeralda" parted from Chile last April and next Thursday October 2 is scheduled to leave for Puerto Edén and Valparaíso, ending the annual cruise with a crew of 142, half of them future officers of the Chilean Navy.

Her latest port of call was Buenos Aires after visiting United States and Europe.

During a brief encounter with the press Captain Jose Miguel Romero talked about the many experiences of the trip and the warm welcome in many ports.

However Captain Romero admitted that in some European cities and Buenos Aires protests were organized against the presence of the "Esmeralda", allegedly because during the military coup thirty years ago in Chile, she was used as a detention and torture centre.

"For many years, tiny groups of radicals and well paid, who don't have a clue about Chile, are contracted for these short termed protests, but they never have any impact on our local activities", explained Captain Romero.