SOUTHCOM commander announces sudden retirement amid Trump drug war in Caribbean

The commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), whose area of operations includes the Caribbean waters where the strikes against the alleged drug boats have been conducted, announced he is retiring suddenly by the end of the year. 

Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, who became the commander of SOUTHCOM in November 2024, announced Thursday that he would retire from the Navy in December. No reason for his abrupt exit was provided, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. 

"The SOUTHCOM team has made lasting contributions to the defense of our nation, and will continue to do so," Holsey said in a statement SOUTHCOM shared on social media. "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." 

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Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth visits the Panama Canal on April 8, 2025, in Panama City, Panama. Panama Canal Administrator Dr. Ricaurte Vasquez Morales welcomes Pete Hegseth.  (Daniel Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Holsey commissioned in 1988, and flew both SH-2F Seasprite and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters. Holsey’s previous assignments include serving as the deputy commander of SOUTHCOM, as well as deputy Chief of Naval Personnel and the commander of the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson’s carrier strike group.

The New York Times first reported that Holsey was departing his post. 

Holsey's retirement less than a year into his tenure leading the combatant command is unusual. Former SOUTHCOM commander, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, served in the role from 2021 to 2024. 

Holsey's retirement comes as tensions heat up in his area of operations, and just a few days after the U.S. military conducted a strike against alleged narco-traffickers in the Caribbean and after the Department of War unveiled a new counter-narcotics Joint Task Force in SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility.

The Trump administration has adopted an aggressive approach to address the flow of drugs into the U.S., and designated drug cartel groups like Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa and others as foreign terrorist organizations in February.

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The U.S. killed six alleged drug traffickers on a boat in international waters near Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced Oct. 14, 2025. (realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)

Likewise, the White House sent lawmakers a memo Sept. 30 notifying them that the U.S. is now participating in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug smugglers, and has conducted at least five fatal strikes on alleged drug boats off the coast of Venezuela. 

Even so, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed doubts about the legality of the strikes, and Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., filed a war powers resolution in September to prohibit U.S. forces from engaging in "hostilities" against certain non-state organizations.

Although the resolution failed in the Senate by a 51–48 margin Oct. 8, Republicans Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted with their Democratic counterparts for the resolution.

Meanwhile, Trump has signaled he is eyeing land operations now "because we've got the sea very well under control," and confirmed that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, after the New York Times reported Wednesday he had approved the order. 

Trump said he did so because Venezuela has released prisoners into the U.S., and that drugs were pouring into the U.S. from Venezuela through the sea routes. 

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Tensions are escalating between the U.S. and Venezuela as the Trump administration ramps up its actions against drug trafficking.  (Alfredo Lasry R/Getty Images; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

However, Trump declined to answer though when asked if the CIA had the authority to "take out" Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration has said it does not recognize Maduro as a legitimate head of state, but a leader of a drug cartel.

Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth commended Holsey for his service, and wished Holsey and his family continued success. 

"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," Hegseth said in a post on social media on Thursday. "His tenure as Military Deputy Commander and now Commander of United States Southern Command reflects a legacy of operational excellence and strategic vision."