Commander of US Southern Command retiring, Hegseth says 

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Commander of US Southern Command retiring, Hegseth says 

Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, who is overseeing the U.S. military’s strikes against boats in the Caribbean that the Trump administration argues are smuggling drugs into the country, will retire at the end of the year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday. 

Holsey, a four-star admiral who is the commander of U.S. Southern Command (Southcom), will retire at the end of 2025, less than a year after assuming the post in November last year. It is unclear why the admiral is leaving now. 

“On behalf of the Department of War, we extend our deepest gratitude to Admiral Alvin Holsey for his more than 37 years of distinguished service to our nation as he plans to retire at year’s end,” Hegseth said in a post on the social platform X. “A native of Fort Valley, Georgia, Admiral Holsey has exemplified the highest standards of naval leadership since his commissioning through the NROTC program at Morehouse College in 1988.” 

“Throughout his career—from commanding helicopter squadrons to leading Carrier Strike Group One and standing up the International Maritime Security Construct—Admiral Holsey has demonstrated unwavering commitment to mission, people, and nation,” the Defense secretary said. “His tenure as Military Deputy Commander and now Commander of United States Southern Command reflects a legacy of operational excellence and strategic vision.” 

The admiral will retire from the U.S. Navy effective on Dec. 12, Holsey said in a message that was shared with The Hill.

“The SOUTHCOM team has made lasting contributions to the defense of our nation and will continue to do so,” Holsey said. “I am confident that you will forge ahead, focused on your mission that strengthens our nation and ensures its longevity as a beacon of freedom around the globe.” 

Southcom oversees all operations in Central and South America. The Department of Defense (DOD) will be without a top commander as the Trump administration is launching strikes against vessels off the coast of Venezuela that are allegedly smuggling narcotics. 

Currently, there are about 10,000 U.S. forces backing counternarcotics operations in the Caribbean, a DOD official told The Hill on Thursday

Most of the troops are stationed in Puerto Rico, while others are on ships. The Navy has eight ships in the Caribbean and one submarine. 

The U.S. military has conducted five strikes against boats off the coast of Venezuela, which the administration says are trafficking illegal drugs, killing at least 27 people. 

On Wednesday, the president appeared to confirm that he authorized the CIA to conduct operations in Venezuela. 

“I authorized for two reasons really, number one they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America, they came in through the border,” President Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.

Holsey becomes the latest top military official to step down in recent weeks. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, a top Air Force commander, announced earlier this month that he would retire for “personal and family reasons.” The head of U.S. Special Operations Command, Gen. Bryan Fenton, retired from his post in early October. 

Holsey, who earned a master’s degree in management from Troy State University in 1995, served as the deputy chief of naval personnel at the Navy Personnel Command from 2021 to 2022. Before becoming the commander of Southcom, Holsey was the command’s military deputy commander. 

It is unclear who will replace Holsey. 

“The Department thanks Admiral Holsey for his decades of service to our country, and we wish him and his family continued success and fulfillment in the years ahead,” Hegseth said on Thursday.