US Navy Admiral Overseeing US Forces in the Caribbean Retires Early

MIAMI, FL – The United States Navy Admiral overseeing US forces in Latin America and Caribbean retired on Friday, two years ahead of schedule.

The Miami-based US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which overseas military operations in the region, said Admiral Alvin Holsey relinquished duties as commander to Air Force Lieutenant General Evan L. Pettus at the command’s headquarters on Friday.

Holsey reportedly was in disagreement with the Trump administration and its military operations in the Caribbean Sea.

“One of Admiral Holsey’s most significant achievements was the transformation of US SOUTHCOM into a more agile, capable and operationally present force,” said SOUTHCOM in a statement.

“Under his leadership, the command expanded from roughly 3,500 personnel to nearly 15,000 personnel in direct support of operations in the region,” it added. “The operational impact was immediately felt, with the expanded US presence across the region, improving responsiveness and strengthening deterrence.”

SOUTHCOM said Pettus, who was SOUTHCOM’s Military Deputy Commander, is a career Air Force officer with multiple combat deployments and stints in leadership roles, including the Commandant of the Air Command and Staff College, the Commander of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, and the Commander, Air Forces Southern.

SOUTHCOM said Holsey’s career includes numerous deployments aboard US Navy frigates and cruisers, as well as missions flying the SH-2F Seasprite and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters.

He commanded a helicopter anti-submarine squadron; the US Navy’s first hybrid electric propulsion warship, USS Makin Island (LHD 8); and Carrier Strike Group One aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

Holsey previously served as Military Deputy Commander at SOUTHCOM prior to assuming command.

Hosley assumed command of SOUTHCOM November 7, 2024.

“Under his leadership, SOUTHCOM strengthened security in the Caribbean, reached an historic drug interdiction milestone by seizing and disrupting more than a million pounds of cocaine; expanded the US security partnership with Panama to a level not seen in decades; provided robust logistical support to the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti; and stood up Joint Task Force Southern Guard to support the Department of Homeland Security,” SOUTHCOM said.

One of America’s six geographically focused unified commands, SOUTHCOM is responsible for US defense and security cooperation with partner nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, as well as US military operations in the region.