Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander overseeing US military operations against suspected Venezuelan drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea, will retire at the end of the year, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday.

Holsey, 60, has led US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) for less than a year, and his departure comes as several Navy ships and thousands of troops have deployed to the region as part of President Trump’s massive operation to counter narcoterrorist groups allegedly led by Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro .

“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 wrote on X . 3

The Pentagon chief said Holsey “has e

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