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An admiral of the US Navy who oversees military operations Latin America The command assignments were handed down Friday as the Trump administration escalates its investigation into deadly attacks on alleged drug boats in the region.
Admiral Alvin Holsey has retired from a one-year posting, which typically lasts three to four years, and transferred leadership duties to his top military deputy, Air Force Lt. Gen. Ivan Pettus, during a ceremony at the U.S. Southern Command headquarters near Miami.
In farewell remarks, Holsey did not mention military operations or the reasons for his early retirement. But he urged his successor to maintain the long-term partnership in the region by standing firm with the shared values of democracy and support for the rule of law.
“To be a trusted partner, we must be credible, present and engaged,” Holsey said.
Holsey’s shock retirement was announced by the Pentagon in October, a month after the Trump administration’s attacks on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, which killed at least 87 people. The campaign faces increasing scrutiny CongressHolsey briefed key MPs earlier this week.
Holsey’s long-term replacement has not yet been named.
Friday’s ceremony was more subdued than previous retirements, held amid a small crowd of mostly Southern Command staff and without the defense secretary. pete hegsethbecause the president donald trump has not yet named Holsey’s replacement.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Kane made no mention of military operations in Latin America as he thanked Holsey for his 37 years of service. Kane referred to Holsey as a “steady” leader and “quiet professional” who always leads with his heart and mind.
“It’s never been about you, it’s been about people, it’s been about others,” Kane said. “In all the conversations we’ve had, you’ve never said ‘I’. You’ve always said ‘we’.” …Your impact will last long.”
Holsey is departing as Congress investigates the boat attacks, including the deaths of two survivors from the wreck of the initial attack. Secretary of State marco rubioHegseth and other top officials have given classified briefings on Capitol Hill this week.
Holsey also spoke via classified video call this week to key lawmakers overseeing the US military. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, later said that Holsey answered senators’ questions but “there are still many questions to be answered.” Reed later said that Holsey did not give any reason for his retirement other than to say that it was a personal decision.
Probe into boat strike increases
Experts on the rules of war, human rights groups and even some of Trump’s allies in Congress have questioned the legality of strikes on those accused of carrying drugs. For decades, he was arrested at sea by the Coast Guard and brought to the US to stand criminal trial.
The 22 known attacks against alleged drug-trafficking ships are being supported by a massive fleet of US warships, attack helicopters, thousands of troops and even the country’s most advanced aircraft carrier.
Trump’s Republican administration has defended its aggressive strategy, designating several drug cartels in Latin America as foreign terrorist organizations and declaring that the US is in armed conflict with those criminal organizations, relying on a legal argument that took hold after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The campaign has increased pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been accused in the US of narcoterrorism. In a swift move on Wednesday, US forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker that the Trump administration has accused of smuggling illegal crude. Sales of that oil in global energy markets are crucial to Maduro’s hold on power.
Maduro has insisted that the real purpose of the US military operations is to force him from office.
Holsey’s departure is the latest in a long series of sudden retirements and dismissals in the military’s top ranks since Hegseth took over the Pentagon.
A native of rural Fort Valley, Georgia, whose father and several uncles served in Vietnam, Holsey handed over his baton to Pettus for a soulful rendition of “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Pettus, a fighter jet pilot with combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq, had been serving as Holsey’s top deputy since late 2024. However, it’s unclear how long the Arkansas native will remain on the job. Whoever Trump nominates must be confirmed by the Senate.