The Cuban government has openly criticized President Donald Trump's decision to expand the capacity of the Guantánamo Naval Base to house up to 30,000 migrants. Authorities on the island have warned of potential "serious consequences" as a result of this move. In a statement released by Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex), the regime condemned Washington's plan to use the military enclave for detaining tens of thousands of migrants set to be expelled from U.S. soil.
The statement described the decision as a "demonstration of the brutality" with which the Trump Administration handles the immigration crisis, which they claim stems from U.S. foreign policy and its antagonism towards migrants' countries of origin. The Minrex also argued that many of those facing deportation are victims of U.S. economic policies, having contributed significantly to critical sectors such as agriculture, construction, industry, and services.
Condemnation from Cuban Leadership
Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his disapproval of Trump's announcement. "In an act of brutality, the new U.S. government announces the detention at Guantánamo Naval Base, located on illegally occupied Cuban territory, of thousands of migrants it forcibly expels, placing them alongside notorious prisons of torture and illegal detention," Díaz-Canel stated on platform X.
Meanwhile, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez criticized the U.S. decision, labeling it as a "disregard for human dignity and International Law." Rodríguez emphasized that the Guantánamo Naval Base is "illegally occupied Cuban territory beyond the jurisdiction of U.S. courts."
Guantánamo's Controversial Role as a Detention Center
The Guantánamo Naval Base has previously been utilized as a detention center for prisoners during the U.S.-led "war on terror." It has also served as a temporary refuge for Cuban migrants attempting to reach the United States by sea.
The Cuban statement warned that using the base as a massive detention center for migrants would create a "risky and insecure scenario," potentially leading to mistakes, accidents, and misunderstandings that could endanger regional stability. "Its irresponsible use threatens peace and could provoke serious consequences," Minrex stressed.
Political Prisoners in Cuba and Halted Releases
This pronouncement occurs amid controversy over the status of political prisoners in Cuba. The Cuban government announced the release of 553 prisoners following an agreement with the Vatican, yet independent organizations have reported a halt in these releases after Trump reinstated Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Cuban bishop Eloy Ricardo Domínguez, a key figure in the negotiations, insisted that the process of releasing prisoners would continue despite rising tensions with the United States. "The release process will not stop," he declared in an interview.
As this immigration crisis unfolds, tensions between Washington and Havana are escalating, with the Guantánamo Naval Base at the heart of a new diplomatic conflict between the two nations.
Key Questions about the Guantánamo Migrant Crisis
What is the Cuban government's stance on the U.S. plan for Guantánamo?
The Cuban government has strongly criticized the U.S. plan, warning of serious consequences and condemning it as a demonstration of brutality.
Why is the expansion of the Guantánamo Naval Base controversial?
The expansion is controversial because it involves using the base, located on Cuban territory, as a large-scale detention center for migrants, raising concerns about regional stability and human rights.
How has the situation of political prisoners in Cuba been affected by U.S. actions?
Releases of political prisoners in Cuba have reportedly stalled after the U.S. reinstated Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, despite previous agreements for prisoner releases.