Top U.S. Admiral in Latin America Retires Amid Unanswered Questions on Deadly Boat Incidents

Admiral Alvin Holsey, the commander of U.S. military operations in Latin America, has retired. He made the announcement suddenly. Holsey led the U.S. Southern Command. Last year, the command carried out "boat strikes" off the coast of Venezuela. These are high-speed maneuvers by U.S. Navy ships to stop and intercept other vessels. The military said the operations targeted illegal drug trafficking. However, the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least two people. Venezuelan authorities called the incidents a "massacre." With Holsey's immediate departure, key questions remain unanswered. The command has not fully explained the rules that authorized the use of such force. It is also unclear if any review of the deadly incidents will be made public.