Obama reveals plans to close Guantanamo Bay

Feb 23, 2016 | International News, News

U.S. President Barack Obama arrives to deliver a statement on administration plans to close the Guantanamo military prison on Tuesday. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

U.S. President Barack Obama arrives to deliver a statement on administration plans to close the Guantanamo military prison on Tuesday. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Aaron D’Andrea

U.S President Barack Obama on Tuesday unveiled his long awaited plan to shut down the notorious Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba.

The closing of Guantanamo was a campaign promise for Obama when he first ran for president in 2008. Obama said the prison brings a negative view on America.

“Keeping this facility open is contrary to our values,” Obama told reporters at The White House.

“It undermines our standing in the world,” he said.

Obama, who is serving his last year as president, said Guantanamo costs $445 million US to run annually, and that the prison only holds 91 inmates.

He said his government plans to hold the inmates at prisons in the U.S. or abroad, a move that will save $180 million.

Here is a timeline about some of the key events surrounding Guantanamo Bay.