Admiral Alvin Holsey, the head of U.S. Southern Command, retired Friday roughly two years earlier than expected, handing over authority as U.S. military operations in Latin America draw increased scrutiny and tensions with Venezuela intensify.
Holsey's departure follows weeks of internal friction, according to three U.S. officials and two people familiar with the matter, who told Reuters that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed for the change. Two of them said Hegseth had grown frustrated with the command as he sought to expand military operations and planning in the region.
