GITMO
US, Cuba Relations 2015: US Likely to Keep Guantanamo Bay Despite Detainee Transfers, Renewed Relations with Cuba (LatinPost)
With the U.S. and Cuba normalizing its diplomatic relations, President Barack Obama is expected to comment on its progress; however, the future with the Guantanamo Bay prison facility remains shrouded.
Obama administration had sought to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. President Barack Obamaordered for the facility's closure on Jan. 22, 2009, but the site remains open to detainees. With the administration announcing it will renew diplomatic relations with Cuba on Dec. 17, the future of the facility was questioned again since it remains open and housing suspected terrorists.
On Dec. 23, the U.S. State Department reiterated the progress of trying to close the Guantanamo facility. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf acknowledged negotiations have been taking place with foreign partners to accept detainees. Harf noted that since Cliff Sloan, the special envoy for Guantanamo's closure, started his role, 34 detainees have been transferred from the facility and more are expected to come.
