Guantanamo Prison Commander Fired for ‘Loss of Confidence’

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. John Ring, joint task force Guantanamo commander, pauses while speaking during an April 17, 2019, roundtable discussion with the media at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. Military officials say that Ring has been fired for a “loss of confidence in his ability to command.” A statement from U.S. Southern Command says Ring was relieved of duty Saturday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON (CN) - U.S. military officials on Monday announced the commander in charge of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay has been removed from his position “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.”

Navy Rear Admiral John Ring has served as commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo since 2018, overseeing the military prison in Cuba that still holds about 40 people accused of terrorism. Army Brigadier General John Hussey, who served as deputy commander, will take over Ring’s job in an acting capacity.

“This change in leadership will not interrupt the safe, humane, legal care and custody provided to the detainee population at GTMO,” the U.S. Southern Command said in a statement.

Ring was removed from his position on Saturday, according to the statement.

The prison population at Guantanamo has dwindled in recent years, as the camp once held almost 700 prisoners in the years after it opened in 2002.

Categories / Government, National

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