What is Guantánamo Bay? What It Is and Why Trump Wants to Revive It? Here’s the Reason Why

Guantánamo Bay, located in southeast Cuba, has been a focal point of international attention for decades. 

Established in 1898, the U.S. secured a lease to operate a naval base there. In 2002, it became the site of a detention camp for individuals deemed threats to U.S. national security.

The detention camp has been controversial, with critics highlighting human rights concerns and the indefinite detention of prisoners without trial. As of January 2025, 15 detainees remain at the facility.

In 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to keep the Guantánamo Bay prison open, reversing the previous administration's stance. He argued that terrorists are "unlawful enemy combatants" and should be detained at Guantánamo Bay.

In this article, we'll cover the history of Guantánamo Bay, its role in U.S. military operations, the controversies surrounding its detention camp, and the reasons behind President Trump's decision to keep it open. 

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Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp: History and Significance

The Guantanamo Bay detention camp, often referred to as GTMO or GITMO, is a U.S. military prison located within the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. 

Established in January 2002 under President George W. Bush, the camp was created in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks as part of the U.S. response to terrorism. 

It specifically targets suspected members of Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters captured during military operations in Afghanistan.

1. Establishment and Legal Context

Following the September 11 attacks, the U.S. government declared a "war on terror," leading to military actions in Afghanistan. 

On November 13, 2001, President Bush issued a military order allowing for the indefinite detention of foreign nationals without charge, asserting that these individuals were "illegal enemy combatants" who could be held without the protections typically afforded under U.S. law. 

The legal rationale for this approach was rooted in the belief that Guantanamo Bay, being outside U.S. territory, allowed for a circumvention of both U.S. constitutional protections and international laws such as the Geneva Conventions.

2. Detainee Population and Conditions

Since its inception, Guantanamo has housed at least 780 detainees from over 48 countries. As of January 2025, only 15 detainees remain at the facility, with many having been transferred to other countries or released over the years. 

The conditions within the camp have been widely criticised. Reports indicate that detainees have faced torture and inhumane treatment, including "enhanced interrogation techniques" that have drawn condemnation from human rights organisations worldwide. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross has highlighted severe psychological impacts on many detainees due to their treatment.

3. Legal Challenges and Human Rights Concerns

The establishment of Guantanamo Bay has sparked significant legal and ethical debates regarding human rights and due process. 

Various U.S. Supreme Court rulings have affirmed that detainees possess certain rights under U.S. law, including access to habeas corpus proceedings. 

However, military tribunals set up to try detainees have been criticised for lacking fairness and transparency, further complicating the legal landscape surrounding Guantanamo.

4. Political Landscape

Efforts to close Guantanamo have been made by subsequent administrations, notably by Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. 

However, these initiatives have often faced strong opposition in Congress. The facility remains a contentious symbol of U.S. counterterrorism policies and their implications for human rights.

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How Does the US Government Use the Base at Guantánamo Bay?

The U.S. government utilises the base at Guantanamo Bay for various purposes, primarily related to national security and immigration control. Recently, President Donald Trump announced plans to expand its role significantly.

1. Current Uses of Guantanamo Bay

• Detention of Terrorism Suspects: The Guantanamo Bay detention camp, established in 2002, primarily serves as a military prison for individuals classified as "enemy combatants" or terrorism suspects captured during the War on Terror. As of January 2025, 15 detainees remain at the facility, which has held a total of at least 780 individuals since its inception.
• Migrant Processing Centre: The base has historically been used to process migrants, particularly those intercepted while attempting to reach the U.S. by sea, mainly from Haiti and Cuba. This facility is separate from the high-security detention centre for terrorism suspects.
• Recent Plans for Migrant Detention: On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing preparations for a new facility at Guantanamo Bay capable of housing up to 30,000 undocumented migrants identified as threats to public safety. 
• This facility aims to double the existing capacity for detaining migrants deemed "criminal illegal aliens." The plan is part of Trump's broader immigration enforcement strategy and follows the passage of the Laken Riley Act, which mandates stricter detention policies for certain offences.

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The Role of Guantánamo Bay in National Security

The role of Guantanamo Bay in U.S. national security has evolved significantly, particularly in light of recent developments under the Trump administration. Here are the key aspects of its current and historical significance:

1. Current Role in National Security

• Detention of Terrorism Suspects: Guantanamo Bay has long been a facility for detaining individuals classified as "enemy combatants" or terrorism suspects captured during military operations. 

• Although the number of detainees has significantly decreased, with only 15 remaining as of January 2025, the facility continues to symbolise U.S. counterterrorism efforts since its establishment in 2002 following the September 11 attacks.
• New Migrant Facility: Recently, President Trump announced plans to prepare Guantanamo Bay to house up to 30,000 migrants identified as threats to public safety. 

• This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance immigration enforcement and reflects an expansion of the base's role beyond its traditional use for terrorism suspects. 

• The facility for migrants will operate separately from the high-security detention centre for terrorism suspects, indicating a dual purpose for the base in national security and immigration control.

• Symbolic Importance: Guantanamo Bay serves as a potent symbol of U.S. national security policy and its approach to counterterrorism. 

• It has been criticised for human rights violations, including torture and indefinite detention without trial, which have raised questions about the legality and morality of U.S. practices in the War on Terror. 

• The facility's existence continues to influence perceptions of U.S. commitment to human rights and rule of law both domestically and internationally.

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Trump's Vision for Guantánamo Bay and Its Future Use

President Donald Trump's vision for Guantanamo Bay includes a significant expansion of its role as a detention facility, specifically aimed at housing up to 30,000 undocumented migrants identified as "criminal illegal aliens." This plan marks a shift from its traditional use as a military prison for terrorism suspects to a broader immigration enforcement strategy.

Key Elements of Trump's Vision

• Establishment of a New Facility: Trump has ordered the construction of a new migrant detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, which is intended to accommodate individuals deemed threats to public safety. 
• This facility will be separate from the existing high-security military prison that houses terrorism suspects.
• Doubling Detention Capacity: The proposed facility aims to double the U.S. capacity for detaining undocumented migrants, reflecting Trump's ongoing commitment to strict immigration enforcement. 
• The administration has emphasised that this facility will be used for the "worst criminal illegal aliens" who are considered too dangerous to be returned to their home countries.
• Legal and Legislative Framework: The announcement coincided with the signing of the Laken Riley Act, which mandates the pre-trial detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft or violent crimes. 
• This legislative backdrop supports the broader crackdown on illegal immigration that Trump has pledged during his second term.
• Response from Cuba and Human Rights Concerns: The Cuban government has condemned Trump's plans, viewing them as an act of brutality on what they consider occupied territory. 
• Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about the potential for inhumane conditions at the facility, recalling past criticisms regarding treatment at Guantanamo Bay.
• Operational Management: The expanded facility will be managed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, with assurances from Trump that it will maintain high standards of detention. However, specifics regarding funding and operational logistics remain unclear.

Implications for Guantanamo Bay's Future

• Shift in Focus: This expansion signifies a notable shift in focus for Guantanamo Bay, transforming it from a site primarily associated with terrorism-related detentions to one involved in immigration enforcement.
• Continued Controversy: The plan is likely to reignite debates over human rights and legal standards at Guantanamo Bay, especially given its historical context and previous criticisms regarding detainee treatment.
• Political Ramifications: Trump's initiative may face political challenges both domestically and internationally, complicating diplomatic relations with Cuba and raising questions about U.S. compliance with international human rights norms.

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