US admiral to retire amid military strikes in Caribbean and tensions with Venezuela

Alvin Holsey just took over the US southern command late last year for a position that normally lasts three years

Amid escalating tensions with Venezuela and US military strikes on suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean, the US admiral who commands military forces in Latin America will step down at the end of this year, the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, announced on social media.

Adm Alvin Holsey's abrupt departure comes less than a year after he took over as head of the US military's southern command, which oversees operations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The posting typically lasts three years.