U.S. Southern Command Chief Admiral Alvin Holsey to Step Down Early

U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), hosts the South American Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC), in Buenos Aires, Argentina August 20, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Martin Cossarini

U.S. Southern Command chief Admiral Alvin Holsey will step down at year’s end, two years ahead of schedule, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced, a surprise move as Washington escalates a standoff with Venezuela. Holsey said on X he will retire on Dec. 12 after 37 years of service, without giving a reason.

A source told Reuters Holsey and Hegseth had clashed over Caribbean operations. The departure follows a regional military buildup that includes guided-missile destroyers, F-35s and about 6,500 troops, and U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats off Venezuela that have killed at least 27 people, drawing legal scrutiny. President Donald Trump also revealed he authorized CIA covert operations in Venezuela.

Last week, the Pentagon shifted counter-narcotics control from Miami-based SOUTHCOM to the II Marine Expeditionary Force, an unusual step for high-profile missions. Holsey is the latest senior officer to exit under Hegseth, after the abrupt removals of Joint Chiefs chair C.Q. Brown and Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti. Hegseth thanked Holsey for his decades of service.