Head of US Military's Southern Command is stepping down

Adm. Alvin Holsey, head of U.S. Southern Command, is resigning amid a 10,000-troop buildup in the Caribbean, per two U.S. officials. Since September, Special Operations forces struck five boats off Venezuela, killing 27, targeting alleged drug smugglers to pressure Maduro's ouster. “The main goal is to drive Nicolás Maduro from power,” officials stated privately.

Holsey's departure comes less than a year into his role, during the largest operation of his 37-year career. No reason was given, and no replacement named after his recent visits to Antigua, Barbuda, and Grenada.

The White House and Defense Department declined comment. This follows Trump's Wednesday acknowledgment of CIA covert action authorization in Venezuela and consideration of strikes on Venezuelan territory.

Strikes, conducted by Special Operations, bypass Congress, with no armed conflict authorization. Experts dispute legality, as nonstate drug groups lack centralized command to qualify for status-based killings under international law.

The fentanyl overdose pretext ignores its Mexican sourcing, not South American. Buildup includes 2,200 Marines on assault ships, eight warships, and a submarine, mostly in Puerto Rico. Planning for Venezuelan territory strikes continues, driven by the White House.