Salem-News.com Cuba articles Page 3

Waterboarding Officially Declared as Torture by Holder

A federal official draws a new line in the sand.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The next U.S. Attorney General-nominee, Eric Holder Jr., stated clearly today that Waterboarding is torture. This unusual practice used on Guantanamo Bay detainees and other prisoners of the U.S. government during the Bush Administration, was highly criticized when it first came to light.

But Bush's team, with former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld leading the way, declared that this method of prisoner treatment was legal.

Holder's statement is a clear indication that President-elect Barack Obama will represent a radical departure from the last eight years. What Holder has achieved is something that the two previous attorney generals have deftly avoided.

Government Dismisses Charges Against Five Guantanamo Detainees

After being held in captivity for several years in some cases, a number of suspects at Guantanamo Bay see charges dropped, at least for now.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Defense Department announced today that charges against five detainees at Guantanamo Bay have been dismissed without prejudice.

Judge Susan Crawford with the Office of Military Commissions Convening Authority, dismissed the pending charges against Noor Uthman Mohammed, Binyam Mohammed, Sufyiam Barhoumi, Ghassan Abdullah al Shirbi, and Jabran Said Bin al Qahtani, the five detainees who had charges sworn by prosecutors.

Dismissed without prejudice, means the government can raise the charges again at a later time.

Group Calls for Release or Fair Trials for All Remaining Guantánamo Detainees

Amnesty International says US treatment and conditions violate prohibition on torture and degrading treatment.

(GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba) - As nine more detainees were freed from Guantánamo, Amnesty International on Friday reiterated their position; that the Guantánamo detentions are a travesty of justice.

They believe that the US must either bring 270 detainees still held there to fair trial or release. The nine men were the first to be released from the naval base this year.

Cuba`s Fidel Castro Resigns Over Health Issues

Fidel Castro resigns after 48 years.

(HAVANA, Cuba) - After serving Cuba for nearly half a century, Fidel Castro has resigned as President and commander in chief. Sources close to Castro say his age and illness affected the timing of the move.