The Navy Admiral overseeing United States forces in Latin America and Caribbean retired on Friday, Dec. 12, two years ahead of schedule.
The Miami-based US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which overseas military operations in the region, said Admiral Alvin Holsey relinquished duties as commander to Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan L. Pettus at the command’s headquarters.
Holsey, who retired after more than 37 years of service in the US, Navy, reportedly was in disagreement with the Trump administration and its military operations in the Caribbean Sea.
“You’ve made an incredible difference to our joint force. You made an incredible difference here in this headquarters. You make an incredible difference to this nation,” said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, who presided over the ceremony, referring to Holsey.
“It’s never been about you, it’s been about people, it’s been about others,” Caine added. “The impact you’ve had will last for a long time.”
SOUTHCOM said in a statement that Hosley assumed command on Nov. 7, 2024.
It said his tenure was marked by “a surge in activity and a significant increase in US military presence in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Holsey said: “We have worked hard and tirelessly to build relationships and understand requirements across the region.
“To be a trusted partner, we must be credible, present and engaged,” he added.
Under Holsey’s leadership, SOUTHCOM said he “strengthened security in the Caribbean, reached a historic drug interdiction milestone by seizing and disrupting more than a million pounds of cocaine; expanded the US 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.”
SOUTHCOM also said that the admiral “oversaw US military support to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, where US forces conducted more than 128 flights to deliver thousands of pounds of aid and critical equipment to hard-hit communities.”
Holsey’s career includes several deployments aboard US Navy frigates and cruisers, as well as missions flying the SH-2F Seasprite and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters, SOUTHCOM said.
It said he commanded a helicopter anti-submarine squadron; the US Navy’s first hybrid electric propulsion warship, USS Makin Island (LHD 8); and Carrier Strike Group One aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, (CVN 70).
SOUTHCOM said Holsey previously served as military deputy commander at SOUTHCOM prior to assuming command.
“I’m reminded that, in life, we don’t remember days, we remember moments,” said Holsey at his retirement ceremony. “Those we lead don’t follow titles, they follow courage, and they remember the moments and how you made them feel.”
SOUTHCOM said Pettus, who previously served as SOUTHCOM Military Deputy Commander, is a command pilot with more than 2,700 hours in the F-15E and A-10, including multiple combat missions during Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.
He’s served in “multiple leadership roles,” including the Commandant of the Air Command and Staff College, the Commander of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, and the Commander, Air Forces Southern, SOUTHCOM said.
One of America’s six geographically focused unified commands, SOUTHCOM said it is responsible for US defense and security cooperation with partner nations in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, as well as US military operations in the region.
Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has condemned what she described as the Trump administration’s “unauthorized” military strikes on alleged drug boats off the coast of Venezuela and in the Caribbean Sea.
“Since September, the Trump administration has carried out a series of unauthorized military strikes off the coast of Venezuela, across the Caribbean, and the Eastern Pacific,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, told Caribbean Life.
“These operations have resulted in more than 80 deaths across 20 separate strikes — actions undertaken without congressional authorization, in clear violation of our Constitution.
“This ‘kill first and ask questions never’ approach is not only unlawful but fundamentally un-American,” added the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. “These strikes have done nothing to curb the opioid crisis here at home.
“Instead, they reflect poor leadership and reckless decision-making at the highest levels, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issuing a verbal order ‘to kill everybody’ during a second strike on a suspected drug vessel, which is an alarming directive that demonstrates a cavalier disregard for both US and international law,” Clarke continued. “To date, the administration has provided no credible evidence to justify its actions.
“Rather than taking responsibility or accountability, this administration has shown nothing short of cowardly leadership by attempting to shift blame onto Navy Vice Admiral Frank Bradley for this unauthorized escalation toward conflict with Venezuela,” she said, noting that Congressional Democrats have called for briefings and hearings to address “these unlawful military actions.”
“Until we receive a formal explanation from the administration, it must cease using our Armed Forces for any hostilities in Venezuela or across the Caribbean,” the congresswoman said. “The Trump administration must atone for its actions before more are taken without due process and before further damage is done to our relationships with our Caribbean and Venezuelan neighbors.”
The US military reportedly struck the alleged drug-trafficking boat on Sept. 2 four times: twice to kill the 11 suspects on board and an additional two times to sink the boat.“
