US Sen. Reed tours Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

By The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and other members of Congress have toured the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba as they call for closure of its detention center for terrorism suspects.

The Rhode Island Democrat was at the base Friday with fellow Sens. Tom Udall of North Mexico and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii. Reed is on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Reed says the continued operation of the prison, which holds 122 detainees, is a “stain” on America‘s history, a recruiting tool for terrorists and too costly.

Congress has blocked closure of the prison, which President Barack Obama wants to shut down.

The U.S. seized Guantanamo Bay from Spain during the Spanish American War of 1898, and later signed a lease with the Cubans guaranteeing access to the 45-square-mile area.

© The Associated Press / WLNE-TV 2015