Poll shows Uruguay residents concerned about Guantanamo Bay prisoner resettlement

The president of Uruguay agreed to let six Guantanamo Bay prisoners resettle in his country, but a poll shows that more and more residents are against the plan.

The prisoners — four Syrians, one Tunisian, and one Palestinian — were never charged with a crime The Associated Press reports, and while the United States believes they do not pose any threat, they cannot go back to their home countries. Under U.S. law, prisoners cannot transfer from Guantanamo Bay to the United States under any circumstances.

President Jose Mujica agreed to let the men come to Uruguay as a "humanitarian gesture," but officials postponed the resettlement until after the Oct. 26 elections. A poll released Wednesday says 58 percent of Uruguayans are opposed to the men coming to their country, up from 50 percent in July. Only 18 percent are in favor.

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Opposition presidential candidate Luis Lacalle Pou is against the plan, and while campaigning in Argentina asked, "Why aren't they going to the U.S. instead of Uruguay?" Mujica, a former political prisoner, said accepting the transfer is a reflection of Uruguay's tradition of welcoming refugees.