Admiral overseeing US Southern Command to retire Friday

Admiral Alvin Holsey is set to retire on Friday, just one year into his tenure as the commander of U.S. Southern Command, which is responsible for forces in the Caribbean.Holsey had announced in October that his official retirement date would be Friday.
Three unnamed U.S. officials and two other anonymous sources told Reuters that Holsey was pushed out by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The defense secretary had become frustrated with Southern Command as he sought to flex military operations and planning in the region, according to two unnamed officials.
House and Senate Armed Services leaders met with Holsey behind closed doors on Tuesday.
“He said it had nothing to do with the operations in his command,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers told reporters of Holsey’s exit.
The admiral’s retirement comes amid U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela.
Holsey is set to formally hand over command to his deputy, Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, during a ceremony Friday morning. Pettus will be the acting head of U.S. Southern Command.
“On behalf of the Department of War, we extend our deepest gratitude to Admiral Alvin Holsey for his more than 37 years of distinguished service to our nation as he plans to retire at year’s end,” Hegseth said on X in October.

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