Amid Rising Tensions With Venezuela, Top US Admiral To Step Down In Surprise Move

Last Updated:October 17, 2025, 10:04 IST

Admiral Alvin Holsey will retire two years early as US military tensions rise in the Caribbean. His exit follows disputes with Hegseth and major Pentagon leadership changes.

Admiral Holsey will resign after 37 years of distinguished service. (Image: Reuters)

Admiral Alvin Holsey, who oversees US military operations in Latin America, will retire at the end of the year, which is two years ahead of schedule, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday. Hegseth, however, did not reveal why Holsey, one of two Black four-star officers leading a US combatant command, was stepping down.

In a post on X, the official handle of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote, “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 standards of naval leadership since his commissioning through the NROTC program at Morehouse College in 1988."

The unexpected move comes as Washington intensifies its military posture in the Caribbean amid growing friction with Venezuela. It is learnt that friction had developed between Holsey and Hegseth over operations near Venezuela, news agency Reuters reported, citing a source.

Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Holsey’s early resignation troubling amid the possibility of a confrontation with Venezuela.

“Admiral Holsey’s resignation only deepens my concern that this administration is ignoring the hard-earned lessons of previous U.S. military campaigns and the advice of our most experienced warfighters," Reed said in a statement.

His departure comes as US forces expand operations in the Caribbean, deploying missile destroyers, F-35 jets, a nuclear submarine, and more than 6,000 troops as President Donald Trump heightens pressure on Venezuela’s government. Recent US strikes on alleged drug boats have killed at least 27 people, sparking debate among lawmakers and legal experts over their legality.

Holsey’s exit follows several senior military shakeups since Hegseth took charge of the Pentagon, including the dismissals of Joint Chiefs Chair CQ Brown and Navy chief Lisa Franchetti.

Last week, the Pentagon reassigned its counter-narcotics mission from Miami-based Southern Command to the North Carolina-based II Marine Expeditionary Force—an unusual move that surprised defence analysts.

Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...Read More

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...

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News world Amid Rising Tensions With Venezuela, Top US Admiral To Step Down In Surprise Move

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