In a significant leadership transition, U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey officially handed over command of U.S. Southern Command on October 27, 2023. This change comes as the Trump administration faces increasing scrutiny over military operations targeting alleged drug trafficking boats in Latin America. The ceremony took place at the command headquarters near Miami and marked Holsey’s departure after only one year in a position typically held for three to four years.
During his farewell remarks, Holsey refrained from discussing the controversial military operations. Instead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining strong partnerships in the region, urging his successor, Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, 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.
The timing of Holsey’s retirement coincides with heightened attention on the administration’s military actions, which have resulted in at least 87 fatalities. These operations involve a series of strikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The Pentagon announced Holsey’s retirement in early October, shortly after the strikes began.
The command change has unfolded against a backdrop of bipartisan investigations in Congress regarding the legality of these strikes, particularly one incident where two survivors died while clinging to wreckage. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, described Holsey’s briefing to lawmakers as informative but acknowledged that many questions remain unanswered.
As Holsey transitioned command to Pettus, the ceremony was notably subdued, attended primarily by Southern Command staff and lacking the presence of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A replacement for Holsey has yet to be nominated by President Trump, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding the command.
In his remarks, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised Holsey for his 37 years of service, highlighting his leadership qualities. He characterized Holsey as a “stoic” leader who prioritizes the welfare of others, stating, “It’s never been about you, it’s been about people.”
The military operations led by the Trump administration have drawn criticism from various quarters, including experts in warfare and human rights advocates, who question the legal justification for the strikes. The administration has labeled drug gangs in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico as “narcoterrorists,” arguing that the U.S. is engaged in armed conflict against these drug cartels.
Recently, U.S. forces escalated their operations by seizing a sanctioned oil tanker accused of smuggling illicit crude oil, a critical resource for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The administration’s aggressive military posture has intensified scrutiny of its broader objectives in the region, with Maduro asserting that the true aim is to destabilize his government.
As Congress continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the boat strikes, Admiral Holsey’s departure marks the latest instance of leadership changes within the military’s upper echelons since Hegseth assumed his role at the Pentagon. Lt. Gen. Pettus, a seasoned fighter pilot with combat experience, now steps into this pivotal role, though it remains uncertain how long he will serve until a formal nomination is confirmed by the Senate.
