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10h ago

SOUTHCOM Chief Adm. Alvin Holsey to Step Down at Year’s End

He set a Dec. 12 retirement date with no explanation from him or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), hosts the South American Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC), in Buenos Aires, Argentina August 20, 2025. REUTERS/Martin Cossarini
The head of the US Southern Command, Admiral Alvin Holsey, speaks after being decorated with the Order of Merit of the Military Forces Command 'Gral. Div. Bernardino Caballero' in the rank of Grand Cross at the Government Palace in Asuncion, on August 23, 2025. (Photo by DANIEL DUARTE / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL DUARTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Overview

  • Hegseth announced Thursday that the head of U.S. Southern Command will leave his post at the end of the year.
  • Holsey said on X that he will retire on Dec. 12 and did not give a reason.
  • Hegseth’s statement did not provide a rationale for the early departure.
  • A source cited by Reuters reported tension between Holsey and Hegseth and said questions had arisen about whether Holsey would be fired.
  • Holsey assumed command late last year for a tour that typically lasts three years, and the change comes as the U.S. increases Caribbean deployments during President Donald Trump’s standoff with Venezuela, including destroyers, F-35s and about 6,500 troops.