The Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla launched an ironic attack this Friday against the U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, questioning his credibility to demand physical and hormonal standards from his soldiers when he himself, according to the Cuban diplomat, cannot keep up with the Marines.
In a message posted on X, Rodríguez pointed directly to the contradiction that, in his opinion, Hegseth embodies.
"While the Secretary of War of the U.S. lobbies to increase military budgets that fuel the arms race and inflame the planet; staunchly supports the war in the Middle East and Europe; issues threats against various countries; and dismisses his most experienced and recognized generals; he does not trust in the strength and physical preparedness of his soldiers," he wrote.
The catalyst for the criticism was Hegseth's announcement on July 15 to implement mandatory annual testosterone testing for all military personnel over the age of 30, incorporated into the regular medical evaluation.
Rodríguez did not miss the opportunity to highlight the episode that, according to him, contradicts that rhetoric: "He appeared dizzy after recently trying to keep up with the physical routine of the Marines," he said, referring to the training sessions of Hegseth with his subordinates at the Guantanamo Naval Base.
"Now he says he will conduct testosterone tests on his soldiers to see if they are fit for their missions and capable of the vigor that combat requires. If he doesn't meet the requirements himself, what will he do?" he mocked.
During that visit to the Base in June, Hegseth was seen training with Marines and sailors, running in formation, doing leg exercises and lifting weights.
Despite what the Cuban chancellor is now saying, the images of the U.S. Secretary of War dressed in a sports t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers sparked a flurry of humorous comments from Cuban women, who put aside politics to praise the official's good physical appearance.
Hegseth is back in the spotlight with his new program, titled "High-T" - referencing a social media trend that promotes high levels of testosterone as a symbol of masculinity.
"I authorize a new testosterone deficiency screening program for our service members, ensuring they have the appropriate levels of testosterone to operate at their peak performance," he revealed in a video on X.
The secretary justified the measure by stating that "it is about restoring and optimizing their natural capabilities, protecting their longevity, and ensuring that they have the biological foundation necessary to sustain the fight."
The initiative has faced backlash in the United States. Democratic representative Chrissy Houlahan, a veteran of the Air Force, described the program as a "cultural war obsession" and stated that "the announcement proves that Secretary Hegseth is following orders from the extremes of the manosphere."
Houlahan voted against granting $150 billion to the Department of War, labeling Hegseth as "reckless, incompetent, and unrepentant."
Medical experts from the Endocrine Society and the American Urological Association have also questioned the measure, warning that there is no established correlation between baseline testosterone levels and physical capacity or military readiness, and that mass testing goes against current clinical guidelines.
The Department of Defense did not specify which studies support the measure nor clarified whether female military personnel—who represent 17% of active duty staff—would be evaluated for equivalent hormonal deficiencies.
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