Admiral commanding US forces in Caribbean unexpectedly retires amid Venezuela tensions

Admiral commanding US forces in Caribbean unexpectedly retires amid Venezuela tensions. More signs point to possible military action against Maduro.

Admiral Alvin Holsey, who currently commands US military operations in Latin America (known as SOUTHCOM), will be retiring early in December. Both Holsey and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the admiral’s retirement on social media. Holsey assumed his post last year in a position that usually lasts three years. Holsey has served in the US military for 37 years.

An anonymous US official told the New York Times that there had been friction between Holsey and Hegseth about recent US military operations in the Caribbean. The Times’ source said Holsey “had raised concerns about the mission and the attacks on the alleged drug boats”.

Since September 2, the US military has attacked at least 5 speed boats in international waters near Venezuela. These attacks have killed at least 27 people. The Trump administration claims these boats were trafficking narcotics to the US, but has provided no evidence for this. Members of Congress have raised concerns about intelligence used to direct the strikes as well as their legality.

Fears rise of regime-change war

There are increasing signs that these strikes and the buildup of US military force in the Caribbean are a prelude to a US regime-change operation in Venezuela. Trump has accused Venezuela’s left-wing President Nicolas Maduro of leading a drug cartel and of directing an “invasion” of drugs and criminals into the US.

NBC recently reported that the Pentagon was drawing up plans for US military strikes on Venezuelan soil. Before announcing his retirement, Adm. Holsey launched a new task force under the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF). Ostensibly, the new task force is targeting “narcoterrorism”. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that an invasion of Venezuela would require a force of about 50,000.

Senate Democrats plan to force a vote to bar the Trump administration from striking Venezuela without Congressional authorization. Republican Sen. Rand Paul (KY) has co-sponsored this bill and supporters are hopeful other Republicans will join them.