Protestors call for the closing of the US detention center at Guantanamo naval base in Cuba in front of the White House on January 11, 2014. (Photo: AFP)
(VOVworld) - The Obama administration is in the “final stages” of drafting a long-awaited plan to close the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday that the Obama administration hopes that the plan, once finalized, will face no opposition from Republicans in Congress, who have blocked previous White House’s efforts on this issue.
Closing Guantanamo prison has been one of President Obama’s top priorities since he began his term of office in 2009.
Opened in January 2002, the military prison at Guantanamo Bay is the place where the US detains foreign terrorism suspects. The prison has been publicly criticized for cruel treatment of detainees, including brutal interrogation techniques. 116 detainees are currently being detained there.