 "Hegseth announces dismissal of US general overseeing Caribbean attacks amid tensions with Venezuela")
The US military commander responsible for operations in Latin America will step down as tensions with Venezuela simmer over President Donald Trump’s so-called “war on drugs” and his administration’s bid to overthrow the current government in Caracas.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Thursday that Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, the commander of US Southern Command, will retire by the end of 2025 after being at the post for less than a year.
The surprise announcement comes at a time when Trump said that he is considering striking the Venezuelan land to target drug cartels, potentially expanding the military activity beyond the seas.
Who is Holsey?
Holsey, the first Black commander of US Southern Command, led operations across Central and South America and their surrounding waters. He is the latest senior military official to depart since the beginning of Trump’s second term, as a broad national security shake-up continues.
“The Southcom team has made lasting contributions to the defence of our nation and will continue to do so. I am confident that you will forge ahead, focused on your mission that strengthens our nation and ensures its longevity as a beacon of freedom around the globe,” Holsey had said in a statement.
‘More leadership changes’
Meanwhile, Hegseth has said that he will make “more leadership changes” in the US military as Trump ramps up his campaign in Venezuela, the one that is backed by recent Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado.
In May, the defence secretary mandated a 20 per cent reduction in four-star generals and a 10 per cent cut across all general and flag officer ranks.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe US military strikes and naval buildup in the Caribbean are widely viewed as an attempt to pressure Venezuela’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, whom Trump regards as illegitimate and accuses of leading a drug cartel.
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