Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command, formally retired Friday after months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the legality and pace of U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean.
Holsey handed command to his deputy, Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, during a ceremony in Florida and thanked his family and service members for their support.
Commander in charge of US military operations in the Caribbean retires after clashes with Hegseth over boat strikes https://t.co/M8MGzsZNko#COLD#Colorado#JDATA
— Colorado Live Data (@COLiveData) December 12, 2025
Holsey’s early departure followed repeated disagreements with Hegseth, who believed the command was not acting aggressively enough. Southern Command officials, however, raised legal concerns about the missions.
The issue intensified after a September follow-on strike killed two survivors of an earlier attack, prompting scrutiny from lawmakers.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine praised Holsey as a “quiet professional” whose leadership left a lasting impact. Southern Command oversees U.S. military operations across Latin America and the Caribbean.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
