DORAL, FLORIDA – The U.S. military’s leadership in Latin America shifted on Friday as Adm. Alvin Holsey retired unexpectedly, handing command at U.S. Southern Command to Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus during a ceremony near Miami. Holsey’s departure comes just one year into a role that normally spans several years and follows mounting scrutiny over the Trump administration’s lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Although Holsey did not address the operations or his early retirement in his farewell remarks, he urged his successor to maintain strong regional partnerships grounded in democracy, credibility, and adherence to the rule of law. The Pentagon announced his retirement in October, weeks after the strikes began, and Holsey briefed key lawmakers earlier this week as congressional oversight of the campaign intensifies.
The handover ceremony was notably subdued, held outdoors with a smaller audience and without the presence of the defense secretary, as the administration has not yet nominated a long-term replacement. Senior military leaders praised Holsey’s decades of service, emphasizing his steady leadership style and commitment to those under his command. His departure comes as members of Congress, human rights groups, and legal experts are questioning the legality of the 22 known boat strikes, including one incident in which two survivors of an initial attack were reportedly killed while clinging to debris. The administration has defended the military campaign by labeling certain Latin American drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and asserting an ongoing armed conflict, a legal stance rooted in post-September 11 precedents. The operations have added pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and U.S. forces recently seized a sanctioned oil tanker tied to his government. Pettus, a combat-experienced fighter pilot who has served as Holsey’s deputy, now steps into the role, though his tenure may be temporary pending Senate confirmation of any future nominee.
