Guantanamo Bay prison commander John Ring is fired

WASHINGTON – Military officials said that the commander of the working group that manages the US Naval Base prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, was fired for "loss of confidence in his ability to command."

A statement from the South American Command indicates that the John Admiral John Ring was relieved of duty on Saturday. Deputy commander of the facility, Army Brig. General John Hussey has been appointed acting commander.

Commander of Southern Command, Naval Admiral Craig Faller, raised the Ring. According to the statement, the change of direction "will not interrupt the safe, humane and legal care and legal custody provided to the prison population at the GTMO".

About 40 prisoners are held in the premises. At its peak in mid-2003, it contained nearly 700.

On Wednesday, April 17, 2019, an archival photo reviewed by US military officials, Rear Admiral John Navy, commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, pauses during a roundtable with the media at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Military officials said Ring was fired for "loss of confidence in his ability to command." A statement from the South American command indicates that Ring was relieved of his duties Saturday, April 27. (Photo: Alex Brandon, AP)