Commander of US Southern Command retiring, Hegseth says
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 .
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