The U.S. sent six prisoners who spent 12 years at Guantanamo Bay to Uruguay as refugees on Saturday, American government officials said according to the Los Angeles Times.
For months the U.S. has tried to secure the prisoners' release, part of a series of recent releases as President Barack Obama attempts to close the Cuba-based military prison. But security concerns and political elections in Uruguay delayed the transfers.
Uruguay's president Jose Mujica agreed to take the prisoners and said they would receive help getting settled in the South American country.
"We are very grateful to Uruguay for this important humanitarian action, and to President Mujica for his strong leadership in providing a home for individuals who cannot return to their own countries," U.S. State Department envoy Clifford Sloan said according to the LA Times.
The prisoners, including four from Syria, one from Tunisia and a Palestinian, were detained at the controversial prison for having alleged ties to al-Qaeda. However, like many of Guantanamo's prisoners, they were never charged.
They received the green light for release in 2010 but were held because they could not return home and the U.S. had a hard time finding countries to accept them, the LA Times reported. Legal requirements also delayed the transfers, including a Congressional ban on Guantanamo prisoners being sent to the U.S.
The refugees are identified as Mohammed Abdullah Taha Mattan; Adel bin Muhammad El Ouerghi; Ali Husain Shaaban; Abdelahdi Faraj; Ahmed Adnan Ajuri; and Abu Wa'el Dhiab, who became embroiled in a legal battle with the U.S. over the prison's force feedings after he went on a hunger strike.
Saturday's release brings the total number of detainees released this year from the prison to 19, leaving 136 left, the lowest since Guantanamo opened in 2002, the LA Times reported.
More are expected to be released by the end of December.
