The Guantanamo Commander-in-Chief has been fired for "loss of confidence" in leadership

The commander of the Guantanamo Bay detention center was fired "for a loss of confidence in him," officials said Sunday.

The US Rear Army John Ring has been relieved of his duties and will be replaced by Admiral Craig Faller, the South American command announced in a statement.

Command spokeswoman Amanda Azubuike said the shooting was after an open investigation in March.

"The vast majority of commanders are completing their visits with distinction," she said in an email to NBC News. "When they are falling behind, we hold our leaders accountable."

US Army Brigade. General John Hussey was appointed acting commander of the center, the command stated in his statement.

Hundreds of suspected terrorists have been detained at Guantanamo since it opened in 2002, but no new detainees have arrived since 2008. In November, NBC News reported that there were 40 left, including one 71-year-old.

Ring became commander of Guantanamo last April. In an interview last year at NBC News, he described parts of the detention camp as "falling into the ground and deteriorating rapidly".

He added that he did not know whether he would receive funding to prepare for the possible arrival of new detainees or to adequately care for the aging population already present.

"I'm the innkeeper," Ring said at the time. "I do not make laws, people in DC tell me when people will leave, when people will arrive, and my job is to keep these people safe and comfortable."

South Command said Sunday that Mr. Ring's departure "will not interrupt the legal, safe, humane and legal care and custody provided" to his detainees.