On Monday, the Guantanamo Naval Base released a fresh batch of official photographs capturing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during his visit to the facility last Tuesday. The images portray him engaging in training with the troops, jogging in formation, and descending from an official aircraft emblazoned with the "United States Department of Defense" emblem.
The photos, shared on the official Facebook page of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, depict Hegseth casually dressed in athletic gear: a green "MARINES" T-shirt, black shorts, and a black cap, steering clear of formal military attire.
An official statement from the base highlighted that Hegseth "directly interacted with sailors, soldiers, airmen, marines, guards, and coastguards, reinforcing a leadership style rooted in presence, strength, and shared purpose."
Among the notable photos is one taken at the Northeast Gate of the base, where a sign reads: "REPUBLIC OF CUBA / FREE TERRITORY OF AMERICA," as military personnel run in formation under U.S. and Marine Corps flags.
Another image captures Hegseth performing a bench press with 45-pound plates in facilities encircled by concertina wire. The Secretary completed 44 repetitions during his workout with the troops.
This release comes five days after Hegseth delivered a speech to the troops, issuing stark warnings to the Cuban regime: "It would be unwise for the Cuban government to attempt acquiring or gaining access to weaponry capable of reaching this base or the U.S. mainland. Such actions would invite a confrontation they neither desire nor can withstand."
In the same address, Hegseth declared the so-called "Donroe Doctrine" and reminisced about the Operation Absolute Resolve on January 3, 2026, when U.S. special forces captured Nicolás Maduro in Caracas: "Russian air defenses and Cuban guards were no match for our operators, our Rangers."
The following day, at the Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Hegseth did not rule out a potential operation against Díaz-Canel when directly questioned about the possibility of capturing or eliminating the Cuban leader: "We have options for every scenario. That’s our job. We literally plan for everything."
These new images come amid rising tensions that have escalated since May, after Axios reported that Cuba had acquired over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran since 2023, potentially planning to use them against the base, Navy ships, and targets in Florida.
The Cuban regime's response to the visit was swift. Official spokespeople expressed outrage at Hegseth's casual attire: presenter Marxlenin Valdés mocked his "shorts, daddy, shorts," dismissing the visit as "Hollywood showbiz," while Gerardo Hernández Nordelo shared a meme comparing the base to Varadero.
Cuba’s representative to the UN, Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, retorted that Hegseth was "completely mistaken" and asserted that Cuba’s future "belongs solely and exclusively to the Cuban people and government."
Hegseth, however, extended an olive branch: "We do not seek enemies. We are a great friend. And we hope that soon we can also be friends with the leadership of the Cuban government. For now, we’ll see what transpires."
Key Takeaways from Pete Hegseth's Visit to Guantanamo
Why did Pete Hegseth visit Guantanamo?
Pete Hegseth visited Guantanamo to engage with the troops, demonstrate leadership, and issue warnings to the Cuban regime regarding potential threats.
What was the Cuban reaction to Hegseth's visit?
The Cuban regime reacted with indignation, mocking Hegseth's casual attire and dismissing the visit as a spectacle, while asserting their sovereignty over Cuba's future.
What did Hegseth's speech at Guantanamo emphasize?
Hegseth's speech emphasized the strength and readiness of U.S. forces, warning against Cuban acquisition of weaponry capable of threatening the base or the U.S. mainland.