A U.S. Navy admiral overseeing military operations in Latin America has handed over command responsibilities as scrutiny intensifies over the Trump administration’s controversial strikes on alleged drug boats in the region. On October 27, 2023, Admiral Alvin Holsey officially transferred leadership to Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus during a ceremony at the U.S. Southern Command headquarters near Miami.
Holsey, who has retired earlier than the typical three to four-year posting, did not address the military operations or the reasons for his departure in his farewell remarks. Instead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining strong partnerships in the region, urging his successor to uphold shared values of democracy and the rule of law. “To be a trusted partner, we must be credible, present and engaged,” Holsey stated.
His retirement was announced by the Pentagon more than a month into the Trump administration’s operations targeting suspected drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 87 individuals. As Congress launched bipartisan investigations into these strikes, including one that claimed the lives of two survivors clinging to the wreckage, Holsey briefed key lawmakers earlier this week.
The ceremony on Friday was notably subdued compared to past transitions, held outdoors with a small audience primarily composed of Southern Command staff. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was absent from the event, as President Donald Trump has yet to nominate Holsey’s successor. During the ceremony, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised Holsey for his 37 years of service, referring to him as a “stoic” leader who prioritizes others over himself.
Holsey’s departure comes at a time when Congress is actively investigating the legality and implications of the military operations. Concerns have been raised by experts in warfare and human rights groups about the legality of the strikes targeting individuals accused of drug trafficking. Traditionally, such suspects were arrested at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard and brought to the U.S. for prosecution.
The U.S. military’s recent operations, which involved 22 strikes against vessels, have been supported by a significant deployment of warships, attack helicopters, and thousands of troops, including the nation’s most advanced aircraft carrier. The Trump administration has defended its aggressive tactics, designating drug gangs in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico as “narcoterrorists.” The administration argues that the U.S. is in armed conflict with drug cartels, a legal justification that gained traction following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The administration’s campaign has intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the United States. In a recent escalation, U.S. forces seized control of an oil tanker accused of smuggling illicit crude, a critical source of revenue for Maduro’s regime. The Venezuelan government claims that the U.S. military operations aim to destabilize his administration.
Admiral Holsey’s early retirement is part of a broader trend of abrupt changes within the military’s top ranks since Hegseth took charge of the Pentagon. Lt. Gen. Pettus, a seasoned fighter jet pilot with combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq, had been serving as Holsey’s top deputy since late 2024. The duration of his tenure as commander remains uncertain, pending Senate confirmation of Trump’s eventual nominee.
