Amid escalating military tensions with Venezuela, President Donald Trump has appointed Marine Corps Lieutenant General Francis L. Donovan as the new leader of the United States Southern Command (SouthCom). This appointment comes as Admiral Alvin Holsey, the current commander, plans to retire at the end of the year, as confirmed by the Pentagon on Friday.
Currently serving as the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, Donovan’s nomination coincides with heightened military activities following a series of U.S. attacks on vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.
"I do not rule out a war with Venezuela," Trump declared in recent statements, emphasizing that his administration "will not tolerate the spread of narcoterrorism or the alliances of Nicolás Maduro’s illegitimate regime with nations hostile to the United States."
Admiral Alvin Holsey, who took charge of SouthCom in 2023, announced his retirement plans in October. According to sources cited by The New York Times, Holsey expressed "concern" over the aggressive nature of the attacks on the so-called Venezuelan narco-boats, for which the U.S. has not provided concrete evidence.
The American newspaper reported that internally, Holsey questioned some military operations off the Venezuelan coast, where over a hundred people have reportedly died since mid-year due to these attacks.
Based on official data, an AFP tally indicates that U.S. bombings have resulted in at least 100 fatalities, including five crew members killed in the most recent operation conducted on Thursday.
Nicolás Maduro’s regime has condemned these incursions as part of an alleged "imperialist plot" aimed at overthrowing him and seizing Venezuelan oil resources.
Additionally, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for an investigation into these assaults, asserting that many have targeted fishing boats.
The U.S. maintains that these actions are part of Operation Martillo del Caribe, intended to dismantle drug trafficking routes and networks managed by armed groups linked to the Chavez regime.
Lieutenant General Francis L. Donovan, a Marine with over three decades of service, has commanded special operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. He currently serves as the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
Pentagon sources describe Donovan as a pragmatic officer and a staunch advocate for military cooperation with democratic allies in the region, particularly Colombia and Brazil, while being a vocal critic of the Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Cuban regimes.
"The new commander’s priority will be to ensure hemispheric stability and safeguard the strategic interests of the United States against the combined threats of drug trafficking and authoritarian regimes," stated Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the official announcement.
If confirmed by the Senate, Donovan is set to assume command of the Southern Command in January 2026, operating from its headquarters in Doral, Florida, the hub of U.S. military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Military Operations and Leadership Changes
Who is Francis L. Donovan?
Francis L. Donovan is a Lieutenant General in the Marine Corps with over 30 years of service, currently serving as the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. He has led operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
What is the significance of Operation Martillo del Caribe?
Operation Martillo del Caribe is a U.S. initiative aimed at dismantling drug trafficking routes and networks linked to armed groups associated with the Chavez regime. It involves military actions in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.
Why is the U.S. targeting Venezuelan vessels?
The U.S. targets Venezuelan vessels suspected of drug trafficking as part of efforts to combat narcoterrorism and prevent alliances between the Maduro regime and countries hostile to the United States.