Overview
- The Senate approved Marine Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan by voice vote, elevating him to a fourth star to lead SOUTHCOM.
- He succeeds Adm. Alvin Holsey and will take over from acting commander Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, with the handover date not yet announced.
- The decision follows a U.S. raid that captured Nicolás Maduro and months of strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats that have drawn lawmaker scrutiny.
- Donovan told senators his first priority is evaluating whether the headquarters can sustain logistics, supply and an expanded posture.
- He plans to deepen military-to-military ties and flagged concern over shrinking soft-power tools as the administration shifts focus to the Western Hemisphere.