FILE PHOTO: 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/File Photo
A top military commander who oversaw U.S. operations in South and Central America resigned on Thursday, less than a year into his tenure, and at least one insider speculates that the Pentagon's strikes on drug boats off the coast of Venezuela may have played a part in his decision, according to a new report.
The New York Times reported on Thursday that Admiral Alvin Holsey, who leads U.S. Southern Command, departed after a 37-year career in the military. His resignation comes at a time when the Pentagon has amassed nearly 10,000 troops in the region as part of a "counterterrorism" operation, according to the report.
"It was unclear why Admiral Holsey is leaving now, less than a year into his tenure, and in the midst of the biggest operation in his 37-year career," the report reads in part. "But one of the U.S. officials, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters, said that Admiral Holsey had raised concerns about the mission and the attacks on the alleged drug boats."
The report also notes that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's relationship with Holsey, who is Black, had become contentious in recent months.
Trump officials have made it clear that their primary goal in striking the drug boats is to remove Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s authoritarian leader, from power. However, a range of experts have stated that the Trump administration's tactics violate both domestic and international law.