'HE'S GOT YOUR BACK,' Hegseth says of Trump as he visits troops at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba

Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba this week, where he met with U.S. service members, delivered remarks, and recognized troops for their service.

"On behalf of the War Department and President Trump, he always wants me to tell you that he's got your back," Hegseth told troops on Wednesday.

"He's got your back in the circumstances that you need to undertake," Hegseth, who is a U.S. Marine veteran, added. "That's all I ever wanted when I was a lieutenant here or a first lieutenant in Iraq. You're going to ask me to do tough things or difficult things where I have to make a tough decision on a moments notice, just have my back. Because not everything's going to go right every single time. But I'm doing it for the right reasons and on behalf of the country, we are going to untie your hands and unleash you to get it done so that you come home and the bad guy doesn't. That's the point."

The visit comes as the U.S. continues an oil blockade against the country, as well as following President Donald Trump's threats to oust its leaders by force.

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