First flights with migrants from the United States arrive in Guantanamo

The United States began the first flights carrying migrants detained to the Guantanamo military base in Cuba, the White House said on Tuesday (4). The decision is part of Donald Trump government measures to harden immigration policy. Guantanamo’s base is known for housing prisoners accused of terrorism, including members of Al Qaeda. However, according to the The New York Timesthe place has also been used for decades to stop intercepted migrants in the sea. Now Trump has ordered the facilities to be prepared to receive up to 30,000 people and said he will send “criminals” in an irregular situation. Cuba President Miguel Díaz-Canel classified the measure as an “act of brutality”.

White House spokesman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Fox Business that the flights are underway. According to the New York Timesmigrants are in separated areas of prisoners accused of terrorism. First flights with migrants from the United States arrive in Guantanamo. Human rights entities denounce conditions at the detention center, reporting that migrants are watched when speaking to lawyers, forced to wear sunglasses during transportation and face problems such as rat infestation due to lack of hygiene.

Trump intensified actions against irregular immigration, promoting beats in several cities and revoking legal migratory roads established by the previous government of Joe Biden. In addition, he deported migrants on military aircraft, some handcuffed, which generated diplomatic tension with countries such as Colombia and Brazil, which claim decent treatment for their citizens.

The arrest of Guantanamo was created in 2002, during the government of George W. Bush, as part of the “war on terror” after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Former Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden promised to close it but could not make the measure.

*With information from AFP
Posted by Felipe Cerqueira