This is the season of disappearing jihadis — in Florida, Arkansas and now Uruguay. One would think, given the high stakes involved, that law enforcement would pay closer attention. One would think wrong.
“Law enforcement searching for former Guantanamo detainee in South America,” by Missy Ryan, Washington Post, June 17, 2016:
A former Guantanamo Bay prisoner transferred to Uruguay in 2014 has vanished and is believed to have left the country under uncertain circumstances, U.S. officials said.
Law enforcement is now searching for the former detainee, Syrian national Jihad Ahmed Mustafa Dhiab, in Brazil, a U.S. official said.
“We are coordinating with officials in Brazil and Uruguay to determine his whereabouts,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive incident.
While the Obama administration declined to comment publicly about the case, officials believe that Dhiab may have crossed into Brazil without documents that would allow him to enter that country legally.
According to Uruguayan media, the country’s interior minister said on Thursday that while Dhiab would generally be free to make international trips, Brazilian officials had not allowed him to enter that country previously. The minister said Dhiab had left Uruguay but gave few other details.
If confirmed, the incident would intensify friction between the White House and Congress over resettlement of detainees remaining at the prison, a necessary step toward President Obama’s goal of shuttering the facility.
According to the Associated Press, another Uruguayan government official said that Dhiab traveled legally to Brazil. A spokesman for the Uruguayan embassy in Washington said he had no information on Dhiab’s status.
According to a military assessment made public by WikiLeaks, Dhiab was captured in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2002, and taken to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. While U.S. officials initially suspected him of having links to militants, he was never charged.
Dhiab spent 12 years at the top-security prison and become one of a number of detainees who launched hunger strikes to protest their detention.
In December 2014, Dhiab and five other prisoners of Middle Eastern and North African origin were transferred to Uruguay. The resettlement deal was seen as a breakthrough for efforts to empty the prison of detainees who were seen as posing little threat.
According to the military documents, Dhiab was born in Lebanon to an Argentine mother….

خَليفة says
Obama, what were you thinking when you let this guy go?
JawsV says
Hussein doesn’t care! He’s an Islam-sympathizer. The more Jihadis on the loose the better!
Polk1970 says
So,just to make this crystal clear:
This Jihadi,,released by the Obama Administration, is in Brazil , and The Olympic, in, Brazil, are coming
linnte says
Odd that! I personally don’t believe in coincidence! We really need the death sentence for people who want to brazenly put others to death. It is the natural consequence.
Cecilia Ellis says
“We are coordinating with officials in Brazil and Uruguay to determine his whereabouts.”
As Dhiab’s mother is Argentinian, it might be wise to check with the Vatican Embassy.
Angemon says
Nah, it’s all ok – you see, he was deported, and if all muslims are deported then everything will be all right.
Jay Boo says
OFF TOPIC
Iran condemns reprinting of Muhammad cartoon
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/14/muhammadcartoons.islam1
Recent Iranian Holocaust cartoon contest
http://www.historiography-project.com/iran/
linnte says
So Iran can host a cartoon event, but Robert and Pamela get death threats for doing so. And Charlie Hebdo cartoonists die.
Robert, it’s time for another CONTEST PLEASE!!!
Jay Boo says
I am still waiting for Obama to show his high horse moral indignation.
I might as well sit back and get comfortable.
This could take awhile.
linnte says
Your ice cream is definitely going to melt Jay. Hahahahahahaha! Every stinkin’ one of those “comics” were horrendous and vile. Absolutely nothing like the Charlie Hebdo comics. There is a lot of hate happening in Iran.
linnte says
I suppose I can sleep peacefully knowing this man is in South America R I G H T ?
Jay Boo says
CRINGE !
LR says
Well heck. Last I heard ICE doesn’t even bother to pick up illegal criminals in our own country to deport them. So, some of these illegals end up being ‘out there’ and murdering innocent people.
Guess this guy is no big deal either.
CrustyB says
Russel Brand excaped from Guantanamo?
nicu says
Oh no – how could this happen ? they all are innocent aren’t they ?
sarcasm off –
mortimer says
Isn’t it wonderful that Obama set free the Guantanamo detainees?
Do you ask yourself what jihad attacks these evil doers will now be able to organize.
Obama has been a disastrous president.
Sergio says
The question here is why are Guantanamo detainees being transferred to Uruguay? Is the US dumping its garbage on South America?
R Cole says
The claim that Guantanamo remaining open gives a reason for the growth in terrorism — only everyone who leaves the prison is alive.
Obama’s a dreamer!!
That’s the terrorist pictured outside of his new home! He got a new home – and he still has his head!!
Reckon he’ll join ISIS or will it be back to the Al Qaeda types? A much more complicated world for jihadists returning to the battlefield.