| | But it was defenseless against the abuses of firearms and slave traders. The elders, who knew the periods of glory and also those of slavery, decided to join Chile to stop these abuses, ceding sovereignty. | | But it was defenseless against the abuses of firearms and slave traders. The elders, who knew the periods of glory and also those of slavery, decided to join Chile to stop these abuses, ceding sovereignty. |
| − | Islanders were only able to travel off the island easily after the construction of the Mataveri International Airport in 1965, which was built by the Longhi construction company, carrying hundreds of workers, heavy machinery, tents and a field hospital on ships. However, its use did not go beyond airline operations with small groups of tourists. At the same time, a NASA tracking station operated on the island, which ceased operations in 1975 | + | Islanders were only able to travel off the island easily after the construction of the Mataveri International Airport in 1965, which was built by the Longhi construction company, carrying hundreds of workers, heavy machinery, tents and a field hospital on ships. However, its use did not go beyond airline operations with small groups of tourists. At the same time, a [[NASA]] tracking station operated on the island, which ceased operations in 1975. |