A U.S. Navy admiral overseeing military operations in Latin America has officially transferred command responsibilities, coinciding with increasing scrutiny over the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug smuggling vessels. Adm. Alvin Holsey retired on October 27, 2023, just one year into a role that typically spans three to four years, handing leadership to his deputy, Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, during a ceremony at the U.S. Southern Command headquarters near Miami.
In his farewell address, Holsey did not address the ongoing military operations or the circumstances surrounding his early retirement. Instead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining partnerships in the region, stating, “To be a trusted partner, we must be credible, present and engaged.”
Holsey’s unexpected retirement was announced by the Pentagon during a time of heightened controversy. The strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have reportedly resulted in at least 87 fatalities. With Congress intensifying its scrutiny of these military actions, Holsey briefed key lawmakers earlier in the week.
The ceremony on Friday was notably subdued, attended mainly by personnel from Southern Command and without the presence of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as President Trump has yet to nominate a permanent successor. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised Holsey’s leadership during his 37 years of service but refrained from discussing the controversial military operations.
Congress has initiated bipartisan investigations into the military strikes, particularly one incident that resulted in the deaths of two survivors clinging to the wreckage of an initial strike. Lawmakers, including Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, have expressed concerns about the legality of targeting individuals accused of drug trafficking. Reed noted that while Holsey answered questions during a classified briefing, “there are still many questions to be answered.”
The U.S. military’s recent operations, which have included 22 strikes against vessels, are supported by a substantial presence of warships, attack helicopters, and thousands of troops. The Trump administration has labeled drug gangs in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico as “narcoterrorists,” justifying its aggressive tactics through a legal framework established after the September 11 attacks, asserting an armed conflict with drug cartels.
This campaign has intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the United States. Notably, U.S. forces recently seized control of a sanctioned oil tanker accused of smuggling illicit crude oil, a critical asset for Maduro’s government. The Venezuelan leader has claimed that the true aim of U.S. military operations is to destabilize his administration.
Holsey’s retirement follows a series of high-profile dismissals and unexpected departures among military leadership since Hegseth took the reins at the Pentagon. Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, a veteran fighter pilot with combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq, has stepped into the role. It remains uncertain how long he will serve as acting commander, as Trump must nominate a permanent replacement who will then require Senate confirmation.
As military actions and political implications continue to unfold, the focus remains on the effectiveness and legality of the current administration’s strategies in combating drug trafficking in Latin America.
