Hegseth Taking First Trip To Guantanamo Bay

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Monday evening that he is taking his first trip to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB), Cuba.

The trip on Tuesday, which will be his first time visiting the base since being confirmed by the Senate in January, will include briefings on all mission operations at the base.

Among the operations that will be discussed are the Migrant Operations Center and the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility, Hegseth’s office said in a statement.

“Naval Station Guantanamo Bay serves as a forward operating base vital for regional stability and maritime security,” the statement said. “It also facilitates temporary detention of illegal aliens who are pending return to their country of origin or other appropriate destination.”

Hegseth will also “meet with U.S. service members at the base and aboard the USS Thomas Hudner to thank them for their service and learn firsthand about their experiences at Guantanamo Bay,” the statement added.

Hegseth’s visit to the island comes as the Trump administration has halted operations to put illegal aliens in tent structures at the base due to concerns over the detention facilities not meeting certain standards.

“The emerging facilities don’t meet detention standards because they lack air conditioning or electricity,” CNN reported.

Illegal aliens are still being sent to the island, but are housed at the Migrant Operations Center.

The tent structures were intended to significantly expand the base’s capacity for holding illegal aliens to more than 30,000.

Gitmo tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/mOTGb7QYnh

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) February 25, 2025