Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense of the United States, arrived this Wednesday at the Guantanamo Naval Base to visit the deployed troops, and his attire—far from any institutional protocol—sparked a flood of comments on social media.
Hegseth arrived wearing a short-sleeved green t-shirt with the text "MARINES" on the chest, black athletic shorts above the knee, training shoes, dark sunglasses, and a cap to shield himself from the sun.
"We are here so that you have everything you need to fulfill your mission and for the world to understand that American power, whether 9,000 miles or 90 miles from our shores, is the greatest in the world and is prepared to go on the offensive or defensive at any moment to protect our interests," said Hegseth.
In addition, he added: "That's why we are here: to talk with your leaders, but, even more importantly this morning, to be with you and do some physical training in this beautiful place."
Cubans react to Hegseth's look
The look, more suited for a day at the beach than an official visit, did not go unnoticed among Cubans on social media.
"Go straight to the beach, Peter," wrote one person. "The man is going on vacation, sir," pointed out another. "Very summery, the gringo," concluded a third.
"Looks great!" said a woman, while another summarized: "The Americans are already looking Caribbean." To conclude, a Cuban sent a musical message to Hegseth: "Take it easy, because this is definitely camping!"
Plane or helicopter?
The attire of the Secretary of War was not the only topic that sparked confusion and debate. The simultaneous circulation of two different videos from the trip raised questions about which means of transportation he used to enter Cuba.
In one of the videos, posted by journalist Eric Daugherty on X, Hegseth is seen disembarking from an official plane with the seal "Department of War – United States of America" on the fuselage.
Daugherty wrote: "Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has just landed in Guantanamo Bay as pressure on the communist regime intensifies."
In another video posted by the official DOW Rapid Response account, Hegseth is seen walking in front of a CH-47 Chinook military helicopter alongside several companions, on a helipad with tropical vegetation in the background.
That apparent contradiction between the two videos sparked immediate reactions.
"Was it by plane or by helicopter? I just saw another video, get your stories straight," asked a Cuban. "They'll get their stories straight; in one image, they show them getting off the plane and now from a helicopter. This is starting to sound like a lie," wrote another skeptical person.
However, one user provided the most logical explanation: "By plane to the main airport of the Base, west of the bay. By helicopter from there to the old airport, on the east side of the bay. Near the old airport are the main facilities of the Base."
U.S. Secretary of War regularly trains with Marines
This is not the first time Pete Hegseth has taken advantage of his visits to military installations to train alongside the troops, which is essential to show support for the soldiers and enhance their commitment.
On May 29, during a visit to Singapore, the Secretary of Defense shared an intense workout session with Marines assigned to the amphibious ship USS Boxer.
On that day, he described the U.S. military as "the true backbone of America" and praised their commitment to serving the country even in dangerous areas. "They could be doing many other things, and they choose to serve," he stated.
The scene was repeated this Wednesday at the Guantánamo Naval Base, when Hegseth started the day with a physical training session alongside soldiers and marines.
During his visit, he sent a clear message to the world: "What happens with the future of Cuba is in the hands of the President of the United States and the leadership of Cuba. Whatever happens, the Department of War will be prepared and positioned for any possible contingency."
Filed under: