(2011-1042-F) Operation (GTMO) Guantanamo

The materials in 2011-1042-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. In September 1991, Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a charismatic Roman Catholic priest, was overthrown by dissatisfied elements of the army and forced to leave the country. The coup created a large-scale exodus from the island country. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued over 40,000 Haitians from 1991 to 1992, more than the number of rescued refugees from the previous 10 years combined. A multiservice response was required when these Haitian immigrants were intercepted by Coast Guard cutters and brought to the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Marine Corps forces assumed primary responsibility for Haitian refugees at Guantanamo. With interdiction by the Navy and with Coast Guard assistance, Haitians began to flow into Guantanamo Bay and were housed in a tent city. At its peak, the temporary camp at Guantanamo held over 12,500 Haitians. While their legal status was being determined, the military task force continued to provide security, food, medical care, and all aspects of public administration for the camp. Operation GTMO officially ended in June 1993, after a district judge declared the camp to be unconstitutional. This decision was later vacated, and the last Haitian migrants departed Guantanamo in November 1995. The NSC Cables, Emails, and Records Management System contains all relevant material. This consists of cables coming into the White House Situation Room (to be distributed to various members of the National Security Council) regarding the operational status of the camp at Guantanamo Bay and the logistics of the eventual closure of the migrant camp. Over half of the records related to this FOIA are closed for national security reasons.