Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander of US Southern Command who reportedly clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the legality of US military strikes in the Caribbean, officially retired on Friday during a ceremony in Florida, formally handing over command to his deputy.
During the event, Holsey expressed gratitude to his wife, his sons, including one who is currently serving as a deployed Naval aviator, and the colleagues and guests who attended.
- Advertisement -
“I am reminded that in life, we do not remember days, we remember moments,” Holsey said. “Those we lead do not follow titles. They follow courage, and they remember the moments and how you made them feel. They remember those who listen and treat them with dignity and respect.”
Holsey is being succeeded by Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, who has served as his deputy at Southern Command since Holsey assumed the role last year. US Southern Command oversees American military operations across most of Latin America and the Caribbean Sea.
The announcement of Holsey’s retirement was made public in October by Hegseth, less than a year into Holsey’s tenure. The decision came just days after the United States carried out its fifth strike against an alleged drug trafficking vessel off the coast of Venezuela. According to sources familiar with the matter, Holsey and Hegseth had ongoing disagreements about US operations in the region.
Reports indicate that Hegseth believed Holsey was not acting aggressively enough in combating drug traffickers, while officials within Southern Command raised concerns about the legal basis of the strikes. These tensions reportedly culminated during an October 6 meeting at the Pentagon involving Holsey, Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. One source said Holsey offered to step down during that meeting, though the offer was not immediately accepted.
Scrutiny over the legality of US strikes on alleged drug boats has intensified in recent weeks, particularly after lawmakers demanded explanations regarding a follow up strike in September that killed two survivors of an earlier attack.
Gen. Caine, who presided over Friday’s retirement ceremony, praised Holsey as a “quiet professional” and an “extraordinary human being” who led with integrity throughout his service.
“You have made an incredible difference to our joint force, to this headquarters, and to this nation,” Caine said. “We are grateful for the example you and your family have set through your service and sacrifice. The impact you have had will endure for a very long time.”
Holsey’s successor, Pettus, is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy and an experienced pilot of the F fifteen E and A ten aircraft, with more than 2,700 flight hours. Prior to joining Southern Command, Pettus led the 12th Air Force, also known as Air Forces Southern, based at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. That command provides air, space, and cyberspace capabilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Pettus served as Holsey’s deputy during the campaign of alleged drug boat strikes that began in September. That period also saw the United States increasing its military presence in the region, conducting training missions off the coast of Venezuela, and reopening a military base in Puerto Rico that had been closed for decades.
According to CNN, a significant share of deployed US naval assets are now operating in the region. These include the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. Together, these forces account for approximately 15,000 US troops, along with multiple guided missile destroyers, an attack submarine, a special operations vessel, and various fighter aircraft.
Holsey’s departure also comes just days after the United States seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. President Donald Trump said only that the vessel was seized for “very good reason.” Attorney General Pam Bondi later stated on social media that the tanker had been under US sanctions for years due to its alleged involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations.
