Guantanamo Bay Prison Still Open 25 Years After Afghanistan Invasion

Guantanamo Bay detention facility remains open 25 years after the US invasion of Afghanistan, despite the war's end. The prison, opened in 2002, continues to hold detainees without charge or trial, raising ongoing human rights concerns. Calls for its closure persist, but political and legal hurdles remain.

The facility was established in January 2002 to hold suspected militants captured in Afghanistan and elsewhere. At its peak, it held about 800 detainees; today, approximately 30 remain, many cleared for release but unable to be resettled. The US government has argued that some detainees are too dangerous to release, while human rights groups condemn the indefinite detention as a violation of international law.

The prison's ongoing operation has drawn criticism from the United Nations and global allies, who argue it undermines US moral authority. President Biden has expressed a desire to close the facility, but efforts have stalled due to congressional opposition and logistical challenges. The issue remains a contentious symbol of the post-9/11 era, with no clear resolution in sight.