Admiral overseeing US Southern Command to step down after over 37 years of service

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Adm. Alvin Holsey will relinquish his duties Friday as commander of US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), concluding a military career spanning more than 37 years in the US Navy, the command announced Thursday.

"Under Adm. Holsey’s leadership, SOUTHCOM strengthened security in the Caribbean, reached an historic drug interdiction milestone by seizing and disrupting more than a million pounds of cocaine; expanded the U.S. security partnership with Panama to a level not seen in decades; provided robust logistical support to the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti; and stood up Joint Task Force Southern Guard to support the Department of Homeland Security," the command said in a statement.

The announcement follows media reports which suggested that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested the resignation of the four-star Navy admiral after the commander raised concerns over the “murky” legality of recent attacks on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean.

Amid reported “months of discord” with Hegseth, Adm. Holsey will step down on Dec. 12, retiring two years ahead of schedule.

The development comes as Hegseth faces allegations of war crimes tied to the US strikes on alleged drug traffickers off the coast of Venezuela, which began in September and has resulted in at least 87 deaths across 22 operations.