Díaz-Canel describes the opening of a migrant center at the Guantanamo base as "brutality."

The Cuban regime stated that the Base is a territory illegally occupied by the U.S. in Guantánamo.

Guantanamo Naval BasePhoto © X / Bruno Rodríguez

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The Cuban regime described Wednesday's announcement by the United States government to expand the capacity of the Guantanamo Naval Base to host 30,000 migrants as "brutal."

"In an act of brutality, the new US government announces the imprisonment at the Naval Base in Guantánamo, located in illegally occupied Cuban territory, of thousands of migrants it forcibly expels, placing them alongside the notorious torture and illegal detention facilities," published the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez on his X wall.

The Cuban chancellor, Bruno Rodríguez, expressed that "the decision of the US government to imprison migrants at the Naval Base in Guantanamo, in an enclave where it created centers for torture and indefinite detention, shows contempt for human dignity and International Law."

He recalled that this portion of land at the eastern tip of the island is a "territory of Cuba illegally occupied outside the jurisdiction of U.S. courts."

These announcements come after President Donald Trump announced this Wednesday the construction of a detention center at the Guantanamo naval base with the capacity to house up to 30,000 migrants.

The announcement was made during the signing ceremony of a new law, Laken Riley Act, aimed at strengthening control over illegal immigration and "keeping migrants accused of serious crimes in a detention center."

Trump stated that those living illegally in the United States who cannot be deported to their countries of origin will be sent to the naval base in eastern Cuba.

The law stipulates that individuals who are in the country illegally and are accused of violent crimes or theft should be arrested and potentially deported, even before a court conviction occurs.

At the end of Joe Biden's term, he released 11 prisoners who had spent a long time at Guantanamo; however, 15 men remained there, six of whom have never been formally charged with any crime, and three had been authorized for release.

Frequently Asked Questions about the opening of the migrant center in Guantánamo

Why does the Cuban government describe the opening of the migrant center in Guantánamo as brutal?

The Cuban regime considers that the opening of a migrant center at the Guantanamo Naval Base is an act of brutality because it views this action as an extension of practices of torture and indefinite detention, and furthermore asserts that the territory is "illegally occupied" by the United States. The Cuban leader Díaz-Canel criticizes the imprisonment of migrants in a location he deems a violation of International Law.

What is the Laken Riley Act and how does it affect migrants?

The Laken Riley Act is a law that strengthens the control of illegal immigration in the United States. It establishes that migrants living illegally in the country who are charged with serious crimes can be detained and potentially deported, even before a judicial conviction. Those who cannot be deported to their countries of origin will be sent to the new center in Guantánamo.

How has the Cuban government reacted to the recent U.S. policies toward the island?

The Cuban government has taken a critical and belligerent stance towards the policies of the United States, especially after its re-inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism and the opening of the migrant center in Guantánamo. The Cuban regime accuses the United States of aggression and disregard for human dignity.

What is the historical context of the Guantanamo Naval Base?

The Guantanamo Naval Base has been a detention center since the war on terror, used by the United States to house detainees in that context. In the past, it was also used to accommodate Cuban rafters. Currently, the base is the subject of controversy due to its use for housing migrants under the new U.S. legislation.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.