Admiral Alvin Holsey to Step Down Early Amid Rising Tensions with Venezuela
October 16, 2025
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2025 — In a surprising shakeup at the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command, will retire at the end of this year—two years earlier than planned. The decision comes amid mounting military tensions with Venezuela and internal friction within the Department of Defense.
Tensions Between Holsey and Pentagon Leadership
According to sources familiar with the situation, Admiral Holsey’s early exit followed disagreements with Secretary Hegseth over operations in the Caribbean and Venezuela. In the days leading up to the announcement, speculation mounted that Holsey could be dismissed altogether.
Hegseth’s statement, posted on social media, did not specify the reason for the departure, only thanking Holsey for his “decades of service.” Meanwhile, Holsey confirmed that he will retire on December 12, writing: “It’s been an honor to serve our nation and defend the Constitution for over 37 years.”
Holsey is one of only two Black four-star officers currently leading a U.S. combatant command, making his resignation particularly significant within the military’s senior leadership ranks.
Congressional Concerns Over Timing
Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, described Holsey’s abrupt resignation as “deeply troubling,” citing fears that the administration is disregarding hard-earned lessons from previous U.S. military campaigns.
“This change in leadership, at a time of heightened instability in Latin America, raises serious concerns about strategic direction and continuity,” Reed warned.
Military Buildup in the Caribbean
Holsey’s exit coincides with a significant American military buildup around Venezuela. The U.S. Navy has deployed guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, and a nuclear-powered submarine to the Caribbean, supported by approximately 6,500 troops. These moves mark a major escalation in Washington’s standoff with Caracas.
Recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela’s coast have killed at least 27 people, sparking legal and political backlash. Critics argue that the operations may violate international law, while the Trump administration maintains that they target “narcoterrorist” networks tied to the Maduro regime.
CIA Operations and Strategic Shifts
On Wednesday, President Trump publicly confirmed that he authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, fueling speculation that Washington is pursuing regime-change objectives.
Adding to the surprise, the Pentagon recently reassigned responsibility for counter-narcotics missions in the region from Southern Command to the II Marine Expeditionary Force, based in North Carolina—a rare move that stunned defense analysts and underscored shifting strategic priorities.
Another High-Profile Departure
Admiral Holsey’s resignation follows a string of top-level changes under Secretary Hegseth, including the abrupt removals of Joint Chiefs Chairman C.Q. Brown and Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti. The shakeup underscores continuing turbulence within Pentagon leadership amid intensifying geopolitical challenges.
“The Department thanks Admiral Holsey for his decades of service to our country and wishes him and his family continued success,” Hegseth posted on X.
What Comes Next
The Pentagon has yet to name a replacement for Holsey. Analysts warn that his departure could create short-term uncertainty in U.S. strategy toward Latin America as the administration navigates growing tensions with Venezuela’s government.
For now, all eyes remain on the Southern Command and its evolving mission as the United States redefines its military footprint in the Western Hemisphere.