Commander of Guantanamo Bay prison is fired
Reporting from WASHINGTON — Military officials say the commander of the task force that runs the prison at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has been fired for a “loss of confidence in his ability to command.”
A statement Sunday from U.S. Southern Command said Navy Rear Adm. John Ring was relieved of duty Saturday. The facility’s deputy commander, Army Brig. Gen. John Hussey, has been designated the acting commander.
The New York Times quoted Col. Amanda Azubuike, a spokeswoman for the Southern Command, as saying that Ring was let go after a monthlong investigation that was opened in March. The action came about seven weeks before he was to leave the job.
The commander of Southern Command, Navy Adm. Craig Faller, relieved Ring. The statement said the change in leadership “will not interrupt the safe, humane, legal care and custody provided to the detainee population at GTMO.”
About 40 prisoners are being held at the facility. At its peak, in mid-2003, it held nearly 700.
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