Cuban regime rejects immigrant center in Guantanamo and warns of "serious consequences."

Cuba condemns Trump's plan to expand Guantánamo Base to accommodate migrants, calling it brutal. The regime asserts that this decision by the U.S. intensifies diplomatic tensions and threatens regional stability.

Guantanamo Naval BasePhoto © Facebook / Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

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The Cuban government criticized and rejected the decision of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to expand the capacity of the Guantanamo Naval Base to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants. The island's authorities warned of potential "serious consequences."

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (Minrex), the regime condemned Washington's intention to use the military enclave for the detention of tens of thousands of migrants who will be expelled from U.S. territory.

They pointed out that this decision is a "demonstration of the brutality" with which the Trump Administration handles the migration crisis in its country, which is simultaneously the result of its foreign policy and hostility towards the countries of origin of the migrants.

The Minrex statement also asserts that many of the individuals being deported are victims of the very economic policies of the United States. These individuals have supposedly contributed to the development of key sectors such as agriculture, construction, industry, and services.

Díaz-Canel and the Cuban chancellor condemn Trump's measure

The Cuban ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel also expressed his views on Trump's announcement.

"In an act of brutality, the new U.S. government announces the imprisonment of thousands of migrants it forcibly expels at the Naval Base in Guantánamo, located in illegally occupied Cuban territory, placing them next to the well-known torture and illegal detention facilities," Díaz-Canel stated on X.

On his part, the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, criticized the U.S. decision, stating that it represents a "contempt for human dignity and International Law." He insisted that the Guantanamo Naval Base is "Cuban territory illegally occupied outside the jurisdiction of U.S. courts."

The Guantánamo Naval Base and its use as a detention center

The Guantánamo Naval Base has previously been used as a detention center for prisoners under the so-called "war on terror" led by the United States. In the past, it also housed Cuban migrants attempting to reach U.S. territory by sea.

The Cuban statement warns that the use of the base as a mass detention center for migrants has created a "risk and insecurity scenario" that could lead to errors, accidents, and misunderstandings that would jeopardize regional stability.

"Its irresponsible actions would threaten peace and could lead to serious consequences," emphasized the Minrex.

Prisoners in Cuba and the pause in releases

The regime's pronouncement occurs in a context where the situation of political prisoners in Cuba has also been a subject of controversy.

The government announced the release of 553 prisoners following an agreement with the Vatican, but independent organizations have confirmed that the release processes were halted since Trump included Cuba for the second time on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The Cuban bishop Eloy Ricardo Domínguez, who has played a key role in the negotiations, insisted that the release of prisoners will continue despite tensions with the United States. "The process of release will not stop," he declared in an interview.

As this migration crisis unfolds, the tension between Washington and Havana continues to escalate, with the Guantanamo Naval Base at the heart of a new diplomatic conflict between the two nations.

Frequently asked questions about the expansion of the immigrant center in Guantánamo and Cuba's reaction

Why does the Cuban regime reject the expansion of the immigration center in Guantánamo?

The Cuban regime rejects the expansion because it considers that the Guantanamo Naval Base is a territory illegally occupied by the United States and using it to detain migrants is a "brutality." Furthermore, it warns of possible "serious consequences" for regional stability.

What are the implications of using the Guantanamo Naval Base as a detention center for migrants?

The use of the Guantanamo Naval Base as a detention center raises concerns due to its history as a site of torture and unlawful detention. The Cuban government warns that it could create a "risk and insecurity scenario" that would threaten regional peace and stability.

What is Donald Trump's stance on the migration crisis and the use of Guantánamo?

Donald Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act to enhance the control of illegal immigration and proposes to use Guantánamo to house up to 30,000 migrants. He considers it a "legislative milestone" that will save lives by keeping migrants accused of serious crimes in a secure detention center.

How does the relationship between the United States and Cuba affect the decision to use Guantanamo as a detention center?

The decision to use Guantánamo as a detention center intensifies tensions between the United States and Cuba. Havana denounces the measure as an act of hostility and brutality, exacerbating a diplomatic conflict that is already strained due to Cuba's inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism by Trump.

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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.