President Trump defeats Harris”>Biden Orders Release of Nearly Half of Guantanamo Bay Detainees
WASHINGTON — In a significant shift in U.S. detention policy, President Joe Biden has authorized the transfer of nearly half of the remaining detainees held at the contentious Guantánamo Bay detention camp, leaving 15 inmates still in custody.
The transfer, approved by Biden, brings the total number of detainees down to its lowest since the facility’s opening in 2002. It indicates a renewed effort to close the controversial prison, as Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, had expanded the population, adding nine detainees during his presidency.
The Pentagon announced that 10 Yemeni and three Afghan detainees were transferred to the government of Oman for resettlement. The individuals were all deemed suitable for transfer by U.S. security assessments, but their release had been stalled due to former President Trump’s policies.
Human rights advocates and legal experts have long criticized the Guantánamo Bay detention camp, noting the lack of fair trial processes and the indefinite detention of suspects without charges. The facility, established in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, has drawn global criticism for its treatment of detainees and its status as a symbol of U.S. counter-terrorism policies.
President Biden’s decision to transfer these detainees aligns with his campaign pledge to close the Guantánamo Bay detention camp. During his election campaign, Biden stated, "It’s time to end this shadow war and responsibly close the Guantánamo Bay prison."
The Pentagon’s statement did not specify any immediate plans for the remaining 15 detainees, but human rights groups hope that this move signals a further commitment to closing the facility entirely.
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