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In Venezuela, American strikes carried out since the beginning of September have caused a political and military earthquake in Washington. Admiral Alvin Holsey, head of US Forces Latin America Command, announced his early retirement on Friday after thirty-seven years of service. This unexpected decision, which came in the wake of the deaths of several Venezuelan fishermen, reveals the growing fractures within the United States high command.
In this context, the resignation of Admiral Holsey appears to be a warning signal. According to several internal sources within the Pentagon, cited by CNN, spoke of strategic disagreements between Holsey and acting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The latter, close to the Trumpist circle, would have liked to accelerate operations against Venezuelan maritime targets, despite civilian losses. “Pete Hegseth had growing differences with Holsey and wanted him gone,” reports The Washington Post.
Beyond the personal episode, Alvin Holsey’s resignation reveals broader tensions within the United States armed forces. For several months, President Trump has been leading a vast reorganization of the high command, removing officers deemed too cautious.
Hegseth has already dismissed several military officials who disagree with his political line. This “silent purge” illustrates the desire of civilian power to regain control of an institution often perceived as reluctant to any regional escalation.
SOUTHCOM nevertheless remains an essential strategic pivot in American doctrine. Its mission is to secure the maritime routes of Latin America and to coordinate the fight against trafficking. Venezuela denounces an American pretext to destabilize the country which remains fiercely opposed to the American diktat in Latin America.
On October 11, the Pentagon announced the creation of a new counter-drug task force, led by the II Marine Expeditionary Force, to strengthen operations in the Caribbean, explains Reuters.
But this strategy faces operational limits. Several analysts believe that the recent strikes have weakened American credibility with its South American allies. Brazil and Colombia have expressed concerns about the risk of a major maritime incident. For its part, Caracas continues to mobilize sovereignist rhetoric, accusing the United States of violating Venezuelan territorial waters.
Admiral Alvin Holsey, aged sixty, took over as head of SOUTHCOM on November 7, 2024, succeeding General Laura Richardson. A respected officer, he embodied a measured course of action, favoring regional cooperation and military diplomacy. His retirement, scheduled for December 12, ends 37 years of service.