The Navy admiral responsible for overseeing military efforts in the Caribbean Sea stepped down on Thursday, just one year into his three-year term and in the middle of a major U.S. operation against alleged drug boats in the region.
“It’s been an honor to serve our nation, the American people and support and defend the Constitution for over 37 years,” Admiral Alvin Holsey said in a statement from the U.S. Southern Command’s X account. “The SOUTHCOM team has made lasting contributions to the defense of our nation and will continue to do so. I am confident that you will forge ahead, focused on your mission that strengthens our nation and ensures its longevity as a beacon of freedom around the globe.”
First reported by The New York Times, Holsey did not initially give an explanation for his early departure, but sources close to him reported he has expressed concern with the Trump administration’s missile strikes on alleged drug vessels.
“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,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a X post confirming Holsey’s departure. “His tenure as Military Deputy Commander and now Commander of United States Southern Command reflects a legacy of operational excellence and strategic vision.”
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Holsey’s departure announcement comes days after the White House conducted another strike on an alleged “narco-boat” being used to traffic narcotics to the U.S., killing at least six people.
“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known DTO [designated terrorist organization] route,” President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing the strike on Tuesday. “The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike.”
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. A native of Fort Valley, Georgia, Admiral Holsey has exemplified the highest…
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 16, 2025
The Trump administration has conducted several of these attacks over the past few months, killing at least 27 people.
Hegseth said earlier this month that the strikes will continue “until the attacks on the American people are over.”
The Trump administration’s efforts have focused on Venezuela, which it claims is responsible for the majority of narcotics trafficked into the United States.
Just this week, the Times reported that Trump secretly authorized the CIA to conduct covert action in the country.
“We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of the Venezuelan drugs come in through the sea, so you get to see that, but we’re going to stop them by land also,” Trump told reporters during a Wednesday press conference.
Democrats and even some Republicans have spoken out against the strikes, in particular Sen. Rand Paul, who has loudly split from the Trump administration over the deadly attacks.
The libertarian-minded Republican has argued that the legality of lethal strikes on foreign targets in international waters is shaky. Legal experts previously told NOTUS the administration is exaggerating the legal framework used to conduct the strikes, which was put in place after 9/11.
Holsey joins a growing number of high-ranking military officials parting ways with the Trump administration.
Top Air Force General Thomas Bussiere retired from his post earlier this month, joining dismissed Coast Guard commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Air Force’s vice chief of staff Gen. James Slife.
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