Trump calls for no further release of Guantanamo prisoners

US President-elect Donald Trump yesterday called to end the future release of prisoners being held at the controversial military prison in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba calling the prisoners “extremely dangerous”.

“There should be no further releases from Gitmo,” Trump tweeted. “These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield.”

There should be no further releases from Gitmo. These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017

Asked about Trump’s tweet, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said: “As we have discussed previously here, we are going to carry out the appropriate policies as set forth by the commander in chief with regard to Guantanamo Bay, and the secretary of defence will carry out his unique responsibilities with regard to the review of people who have been previously determined to be eligible to release.”

The statement comes as the Obama administration prepares to release another 19 detainees from the facility before the president leaves office. Trump’s inauguration is due to take place on 20 January.