Mexico Rejects U.S. Plan to Transfer Migrants to Guantanamo Bay

Mexico Rejects U.S. Transfer of Migrants to Guantanamo Bay

In a decisive move, Mexico’s Foreign Minister, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, announced on Tuesday that the Mexican government will not permit U.S. authorities to transfer Mexican migrants to the notorious Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. Instead, Mexico is prepared to directly accept these individuals back into its territory.

Diplomatic Response to U.S. Policy

The Mexican government has formally communicated its stance through a diplomatic note sent to the U.S. embassy in Mexico. This development coincides with remarks made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, indicating the Trump administration’s intention to initiate flights transporting detained illegal migrants from U.S. soil to Guantanamo Bay.

Details of the U.S. Operation

Leavitt confirmed the commencement of these flights, stating that the first operations to Guantanamo Bay involving undocumented migrants are already in process. However, she refrained from disclosing the nationalities of those being transported.

“I can also confirm that today the first flights from the United States to Guantanamo Bay with illegal migrants are underway,” Leavitt stated during a press briefing.

Amidst this unfolding situation, President Donald Trump has pledged to expand the capacity of the Guantanamo camp, aiming to detain up to 30,000 migrants described as “criminal illegal aliens”. This facility has long faced international scrutiny for allegations of inhumane treatment and torture of detainees, particularly concerning its interrogation methods.

Current Flights and Holding Conditions

According to the Pentagon, an ongoing flight operation from Fort Bliss has transported approximately a dozen migrants to Guantanamo Bay, with another flight departing the United States shortly thereafter. These migrants will be housed separately from the existing 15 detainees at the facility, which were initially established for those detained in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

International Reactions and Concerns

Beyond Mexico, other leaders have voiced their concerns about the U.S. strategy. Recently, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described the U.S. government’s decision to send 30,000 migrants to Guantanamo as an “act of brutality.”

In a statement, Díaz-Canel criticized the U.S. actions, highlighting the unlawful nature of Guantanamo Bay and its association with allegations of torture. He wrote, “In an act of brutality, the new U.S. government announces the imprisonment at the Guantanamo Naval Base, located in illegally occupied territory of Cuba, of thousands of migrants that it forcibly expels, and will place them next to the well-known prisons of torture and illegal detention.”

A Focus on Human Rights

The current situation raises critical questions regarding human rights and the treatment of migrants. Advocates are urging both the U.S. and Mexican governments to prioritize humane approaches to migration and to seek solutions that respect the dignity of individuals involved. As these developments unfold, it remains crucial to monitor their impact on migrant communities and international relations.

Reported by various news agencies including Reuters.