Overview
- Pentagon officials said Friday that President Donald Trump tapped Marine Lt. Gen. Frank Donovan, the U.S. Special Operations Command vice commander since 2022, to take the SOUTHCOM post.
- Donovan would replace Adm. Alvin Holsey, who retired this month with roughly two years left in his tenure leading the command.
- The leadership change comes as U.S. forces have conducted at least 28 strikes on suspected drug‑smuggling boats since Sept. 2, with reports of at least 104 deaths under a policy that treats cartel members as combatants after terrorist designations.
- The House this week rejected measures to restrict further strikes or require approval for action against Venezuela, as Democrats continued to push for public release of unedited strike videos.
- Holsey told senior lawmakers his retirement was personal, while Reuters reported he was pressed to leave by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a claim Hegseth’s spokespeople have denied.