Confirming the report first published in the weekly Busqueda newspaper, a high-level government source told AFP Uruguay will host the former inmates for at least two years.

“Obama raised the issue in recent weeks to his Uruguayan counterpart, Jose Mujica, through emissaries, the wish of the Washington government for Uruguay to be one of the countries to receive prisoners from Guantanamo,” the paper reported.

The paper did not give further details about the agreement, but, citing political and diplomatic sources, said “Mujica decided to accept the proposal, after a series of consultations, and to send envoys to the United States and to Guantanamo.”

Mujica had discussed the issue with Cuban President Raul Castro, who supported the idea, during a visit in January, the paper added.