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

Mexico’s foreign minister, Juan Ramon de la Fuente, firmly stated on Tuesday that the country will not permit the United States to transfer Mexican migrants to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Instead, Mexico prefers to directly receive these individuals.

This declaration comes in the wake of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s announcement that the Trump administration has started transporting detained illegal migrants from U.S. facilities to Guantanamo Bay. However, the specifics regarding the nationalities of those being flown have not been clearly defined.

In response to these developments, the Mexican government has delivered a diplomatic note to the U.S. embassy in Mexico, outlining its position regarding the proposed transfers.

The Controversial Migration Policy

Leavitt confirmed, “I can also verify that today marks the commencement of the first flights from the United States to Guantanamo Bay, transporting illegal migrants.” She emphasized that leaders such as President Trump, Pete Hegseth, and Kristi Noem are working to fulfill their promise of utilizing the Guantanamo facility for individuals charged with violating U.S. immigration laws and committing severe crimes against American citizens.

The Expansion of Guantanamo Bay Capacity

U.S. President Donald Trump has previously indicated plans to expand the Guantanamo detention facility, aiming to accommodate up to 30,000 “criminal illegal aliens.” The military base has faced global criticism for its alleged human rights abuses, including torture and inhumane treatment of detainees.

According to Pentagon reports, one of the first flights from Fort Bliss contained approximately a dozen migrants. An additional flight departed the U.S. just the day before.

Separation of Detainees

The migrants arriving at Guantanamo Bay will be segregated from the 15 existing detainees, who include key figures involved in the September 11 terrorist attacks. This segregation aims to isolate different groups within the facility.

International Reactions

Internationally, reactions have been swift and severe. Last week, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned Trump’s plans to imprison thousands of migrants at Guantanamo, labeling it an “act of brutality.” He stressed the inhumanity of detaining migrants in a facility associated with torture and illegal detention practices.

Diaz-Canel remarked on X, stating, “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.”

Implications Going Forward

As tensions escalate over this contentious migration policy, the situation highlights the complex and often fraught relationship between the U.S. and Mexico regarding immigration issues. The decisions made in the coming weeks will have far-reaching implications for both nations, as well as the migrants caught in the crossfire.

With this unfolding scenario, it remains crucial for policymakers to consider the humanitarian aspects of immigration and the potential impact on individuals seeking asylum or a better life across borders.

Reporting contributed by Reuters.