Commander of Guantanamo Bay Prison fires "loss of confidence in his ability to command"

The commander of the task force that manages the US Naval Base Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba has been fired, military officials said.

Admiral Craig Faller of the Navy, commander of Southern Command, on Saturday noted Rear Admiral John Navy of his duty due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command", according to a statement from the US Southern Command.

"This change in direction will not interrupt the safe, humane and legal care and custody available to the prison population," the statement said.

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Brigadier General John Hussey, who was Deputy Commander of Ring, was appointed Acting Commander.

Mr. Ring, former commander of the aircraft carrier Nimitz, took charge of the Joint Task Force in April 2018. He was to be replaced on a rotation scheduled in less than two months.

Military officials said Guantanamo Joint Task Force Commander John Ring, US Navy Admiral, was fired for "loss of confidence in his command ability." .
(AP Photo / Alex Brandon, File)

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Colonel Amanda Azubuike, spokeswoman for Southern Command, said the decision to terminate Ring had come at the end of an investigation opened in March.

"The vast majority of commanders complete their missions with distinction," Azubuike said.

"When they can not, we hold our leaders accountable, which speaks to the importance we place on public trust in our military leaders," she said, adding that Mr. Ring would temporarily take on duties elsewhere. "

Azubuike also dismissed rumors that the dismissal would have occurred as part of a media visit, which Ring had organized earlier this month, during which he worried about taking over charge of elderly prisoners.

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The naval base of Guantanamo Bay was built in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. But the detention center, sometimes called "Gitmo", opened more than a century later – in January 2002 – under former President George W. Bush, with the aim of detaining and "stealing". interview people suspected of having links to terrorism. / 11 attacks, including brain Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

At its peak in mid-2003, this facility had accommodated nearly 700 prisoners. Now it contains about 40.

Associated Press contributed to this report.