U.S. Southern Command Commander to Retire Amid Controversial Strikes

Admiral Alvin Holsey, head of the US Southern Command, will retire in December 2025 after less than a year in charge. His departure follows controversy surrounding American military strikes on small boats off Venezuela, which the US claims were linked to drug trafficking operations.

Holsey took command in late 2024, leading missions across the Caribbean and South America. These counter-narcotics operations, some of which turned deadly, have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers demanding greater transparency on the legal basis of such strikes. The U.S. Department of Defense maintains that all actions followed international law and targeted “unlawful combatants,” but human rights observers have questioned oversight and proportionality.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Holsey for 37 years of service, praising his leadership and dedication. However, his early exit has fueled speculation about internal disagreements over strategy and political pressure tied to the Venezuelan operations.

Holsey’s retirement comes as Washington reassesses its regional policy amid rising tensions and shifting alliances in Latin America. His successor will inherit a complex brief — maintaining maritime security while navigating diplomatic sensitivities in the hemisphere.