The US has unexpectedly dismantled a significant portion of the migrant housing camp at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, according to satellite images analyzed by BBC Verify. Initially set up by President Donald Trump, the camp aimed to accommodate 30,000 migrants, but only a few have ever been detained there.
Reports indicate that approximately $38 million was allocated for deportation and detention efforts at the facility in just the first month of operations this year. Most recently, satellite images from April 16 show that roughly 175 out of the 260 tents erected earlier this year have been taken down, a notable adjustment that US defense officials attribute to a more efficient use of resources rather than a decrease in operational readiness.
Construction of the camp began swiftly after President Trump announced his controversial plans in late January, with tents rapidly pitched between January 30 and February 12. The migrant operations center, while separate from the high-security military prison used for terrorism detainees, has seen mixed opinions on its purpose and effectiveness.
Despite the ambitious plans, only about 400 migrants have reportedly stayed there, with over half having already been returned to US facilities. Some deportations have occurred, including a group of 177 sent to Venezuela in February.
Critics, including five Democrat senators who visited the base on March 28, expressed outrage over the substantial sums spent on this initiative, calling it a misuse of military resources and an affront to American taxpayers. The senators highlighted the costly nature of these operations, which they argue could be better allocated within the US rather than at Guantanamo Bay.
In response to inquiries about the tent removals, White House officials have remained vague, leading to speculation about the future of the facility and its original intentions.
Reports indicate that approximately $38 million was allocated for deportation and detention efforts at the facility in just the first month of operations this year. Most recently, satellite images from April 16 show that roughly 175 out of the 260 tents erected earlier this year have been taken down, a notable adjustment that US defense officials attribute to a more efficient use of resources rather than a decrease in operational readiness.
Construction of the camp began swiftly after President Trump announced his controversial plans in late January, with tents rapidly pitched between January 30 and February 12. The migrant operations center, while separate from the high-security military prison used for terrorism detainees, has seen mixed opinions on its purpose and effectiveness.
Despite the ambitious plans, only about 400 migrants have reportedly stayed there, with over half having already been returned to US facilities. Some deportations have occurred, including a group of 177 sent to Venezuela in February.
Critics, including five Democrat senators who visited the base on March 28, expressed outrage over the substantial sums spent on this initiative, calling it a misuse of military resources and an affront to American taxpayers. The senators highlighted the costly nature of these operations, which they argue could be better allocated within the US rather than at Guantanamo Bay.
In response to inquiries about the tent removals, White House officials have remained vague, leading to speculation about the future of the facility and its original intentions.
