The United Nations has characterised the force-feeding of hunger strikers at Guantanamo Bay as torture. The US government has denied that the practice amounts to torture, and it has been used against prisoners over successive administrations during hunger strikes.

Mr DeSantis was stationed on the base between March 2006 and January 2007, according to his military records.

An investigation by The Independent details the following claims:

Two prisoners held at the camp at the time Mr DeSantis was stationed there claim he witnessed the forced-feeding of hunger-striking prisoners.
Mr Adayfi claims that Mr DeSantis had initially told him he was there for the detainees’ welfare.
Mr DeSantis was stationed at Guantanamo during a year marked by riots, hunger strikes and death.
Part of his role was to field concerns and complaints from prisoners.
Mr DeSantis emerged from his time at Guantanamo as an advocate for its continued use, and against the release of detainees.