The Secret Transfer of Venezuelan Migrants to Guantánamo Bay

Introduction: A Hidden Journey

In a remarkable and controversial turn of events, The New York Times has uncovered a hidden operation involving the transfer of 53 Venezuelan men from an immigration detention site in Texas to the notorious Guantánamo Bay detention center in Cuba. The U.S. government has maintained secrecy around the identities of these individuals, describing them as Venezuelan citizens under final deportation orders. This lack of transparency has left their families in the dark, uncertain of their loved ones’ whereabouts, and has complicated legal efforts to challenge their detention. The New York Times has chosen to publish the list of names, shedding light on a situation that raises serious questions about due process, human rights, and the treatment of migrants under U.S. jurisdiction.

The Migrants’ Journey to Guantánamo Bay

The 53 men were initially held in an immigration detention facility in El Paso, Texas. They were later moved under unclear circumstances to Guantánamo Bay, a place historically associated with the detention of individuals labeled as "enemy combatants" in the War on Terror. U.S. cargo planes were used to transport these migrants, and their records in the U.S. immigration system were updated to list their location as "Florida." This change in designation is particularly misleading, as Guantánamo Bay, while under U.S. jurisdiction, is geographically located in Cuba. The facility where these men are being held is known as Camp 6, a detention center within the military base. The U.S. Southern Command, headquartered near Miami, oversees operations at Guantánamo, while the Navy’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, provides broader supervision of the base.

By mid-week, approximately 100 migrants had been transferred to Guantánamo Bay. The majority of these individuals were included in the list obtained by The New York Times. However, some migrants not on the list were reportedly held in a separate facility, further adding to the mystery surrounding this operation.

The List of Names: A Window into the Lives of the Detained

The list of 53 names reveals the identities of the men now detained at Guantánamo Bay. While The New York Times has not independently verified the government’s characterization of these individuals as "high-threat illegal aliens" or violent gang members, the publication of their names serves as a critical step in ensuring transparency. The names published are as follows:

• Acosta Carreno, Yonniel Daniel
• Alviares Armas, Jhonatan Alejandro
• Azocar-Moreno, Alexandro
• Bastidas Paz, Jhoan
• Bellorin-Cardiel, Javier Alejandro
• Bermudez Gamez, Jose
• Briceno-Rojas, Adrian Jose
• Cardozo Oliveros, Carlos
• Castillo Rivera, Luis Alberto
• Ceballos-Jemenez, Kleiber Eduardo
• Chirino Torres, Jonathan
• Chirinos Rodriguez, Edixon Leonel
• Duarte-Marin, Allinzon
• Duran-Arape, Mayfreed
• Escalona Hernandez, Jefferson *
• Esteira Medina, Misael Jose
• Gomez Lugo, Tilso Ramon
• Guerrero Mejias, Bryan Sleydher
• Guevara-Varguillas, Sergio Gabriel
• Guilarte, Oswal Yonaiker
• Liendo-Liendo, Endry Jose
• Lindado Mazo, Ricardo Jose
• Marquez Sanchez, Jesus David
• Medina Andrade, Jose Gregario
• Mendez Canas, Freddy Javier
• Mendez Ramos, Jesus Enrique
• Montes Fernandez, Franyer
• Mundaray-Salazar, Argelis Jose
• Orelanna, Deiby Jose *
• Oviedo-Hurtado, Brayan Alberto
• Palma-Osorio, Carlos David
• Paredes Salazar, Jose Alejandro
• Prado Pirona, Jesus
• Purroy Roldan, Yoiner Jose
• Quintero Quintero, Yohanderson
• Rios Salas, Luis Alberto
• Rivas-Rivas, Lorwis Jose
• Rivero Pinero, Brayan
• Rodriguez Diaz, Kevin
• Rodriguez Fermin, Rafael
• Rojas Pena, Junior
• Sanchez Vasquez, Junior
• Sandovalascanio, Anthony Yosmar
• Santana-Jara, Andres
• Simancas Rodriguez, Jose
• Sulbaran D’Avila, Erick Johan
• Tiberio-Pacheco, Julio
• Uvieda Machado, Alexis
• Uzcategui Uzcaegui, Diuvar *
• Velazquez-Penaloza, Julio Jose
• Villasana Villegas, Douglas Jesus
• Wullians Oropeza, Daimer
• Yanes-Gonzalez, Ali Jose

Investigations by The New York Times revealed that 50 of these individuals were listed in the U.S. immigration service’s Detainee Locator, a public database that allows people to search for detainees by name. Until recently, these men were recorded as being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in El Paso. However, as the transfers to Guantánamo Bay began, their records were updated to reflect their new location as "Florida"—a designation that obscures the reality of their confinement in a military detention facility outside the mainland United States.

Three of the names on the list—marked with asterisks—did not appear in the Detainee Locator. This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of the information provided by the government and whether these individuals were ever formally processed through the immigration system.

The Legal and Humanitarian Implications

The transfer of these migrants to Guantánamo Bay has sparked significant legal and humanitarian concerns. The lack of transparency regarding the men’s identities and the reasons for their detention has made it difficult for their families to locate them and for legal advocates to challenge their confinement. This secrecy undermines the principles of due process and raises questions about the fairness of their treatment under U.S. law.

The publication of the list by The New York Times has already begun to shed light on the situation. Two of the names on the list were included in a lawsuit filed by relatives of the detained men, seeking legal access to the detainees. The relatives recognized the men in photographs released by the government during a transfer operation, highlighting the critical role that media transparency can play in holding authorities accountable. However, for many of the men on the list, their exact whereabouts remain unknown, leaving their families in a state of uncertainty and distress.

The decision to house these migrants at Guantánamo Bay also raises broader questions about the use of this facility for immigration detention. Historically, Guantánamo Bay has been associated with the indefinite detention of individuals classified as "enemy combatants" in the War on Terror, often under conditions that have drawn international condemnation for human rights abuses. The transfer of migrants to this facility suggests a concerning blurring of the lines between immigration enforcement and national security operations.

Conclusion: A Call for Transparency and Accountability

Thesecret transfer of 53 Venezuelan migrants to Guantánamo Bay represents a deeply troubling chapter in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in the United States. While the government has characterized these individuals as "high-threat illegal aliens," this label has not been independently verified, and the lack of transparency regarding their identities and the reasons for their detention raises serious concerns about due process and human rights.

The publication of the list by The New York Times is an important step toward accountability, allowing the public to learn more about the men being held at Guantánamo and ensuring that their stories are not lost in the shadows of secrecy. However, much remains to be done to address the broader implications of this operation. Advocates for immigrants’ rights and legal experts have called for greater transparency and for the government to provide clear justification for the detention and transfer of these individuals.

This incident also serves as a reminder of the human cost of immigration enforcement policies that prioritize detention and deportation over transparency and accountability. As the United States continues to grapple with the challenges of migration, it is imperative that the government uphold the principles of due process and ensure that the rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, are protected. The story of the 53 Venezuelan migrants at Guantánamo Bay is not just a matter of legal procedure—it is a story about people, their families, and the hope for a fair and just system.