Navy Commander Quits Amid Controversy Over Strikes on Venezuelan Drug Boats
- A senior naval commander is resigning early after overseeing aggressive strikes on cartel vessels.
- Tension over the mission may have clashed with new Pentagon leadership and policy direction.
- Supporters argue decisive action against narcoterrorists is necessary to protect Americans.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has lost a team member who was playing a critical role in combating narcoterrorists in the Caribbean following a stunning resignation.
As The Daily Mail reported, Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, the Head of US command in Central America, announced on Thursday that he would leave his post in December, two years before his three-year contract expires. On November 7, 2024, two months before the end of the Biden regime, Holsey was promoted to command USSOUTHCOM.
At the time of his resignation, Holsey had been overseeing the strikes against Venezuelan cartel boats in the Caribbean.
“Serving as your commander and deputy for the past 34 months has been a tremendous honor,” Holsey said in a statement announcing his decision.
“The SOUTHCOM team has made lasting contributions to the defense of our nation and will continue to do so,” he added. “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.”
He did not elaborate on why he was quitting.
But a report from the New York Times indicates that the highly successful and bold bombings of cartel boats from Venezuela played a role.
“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 paper reports.
The New York Times also notes that Holsey wondered whether he would be terminated as Hegseth drains the Pentagon swamp.
Hegseth responded to the departure with a classy post on X.
“On behalf of the Department of War, we extend our deepest gratitude to Admiral Alvin Holsey for his more than 37 years of distinguished service to our nation as he plans to retire at year’s end,” Hegseth wrote. “A native of Fort Valley, Georgia, Admiral Holsey has exemplified the highest standards of naval leadership since his commissioning through the NROTC program at Morehouse College in 1988.”
“Throughout his career—from commanding helicopter squadrons to leading Carrier Strike Group One and standing up the International Maritime Security Construct—Admiral Holsey has demonstrated unwavering commitment to mission, people, and nation,” Hegseth continued. His tenure as Military Deputy Commander and now Commander of United States Southern Command reflects a legacy of operational excellence and strategic vision.
“The Department thanks Admiral Holsey for his decades of service to our country, and we wish him and his family continued success and fulfillment in the years ahead.”
As TGP readers know, the US has launched a series of attacks on narcoterrorists trafficking narcotics to the United States.
Earlier this month, PresidentTrump announced the destruction of a vessel, which was carrying a “substantial amount of narcotics,” War Secretary Pete Hegseth said. According to President Trump, that boat was carrying “enough drugs to kill 25 TO 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE.”
Trump also announced multiple strikes on Venezuelan drug boats last month, starting on September 2nd, when the United States executed a strike on a Venezuelan Tren de Aragua boat.
This is the kind of tough, proactive stance Republicans applauded on the campaign trail: stop the flow of poison before it reaches American streets. If Holsey opposed these common-sense actions to protect our national security, then good riddance.
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