US EditionTrump nominates new Southcom commander after Holsey’s retirement
Gen. Frank Donovan’s nomination follows Adm. Holsey’s early retirement amid 28 strikes killing 104 people in the Caribbean, highlighting Pentagon’s focus on counter-narcotics and special operations.
- On Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Lieutenant General Frank Donovan, vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, to lead U.S. Southern Command, replacing Adm. Alvin Holsey who retired early.
- This month, the administration framed its approach to cartels as an `armed conflict`, deploying about 15,000 troops in the Caribbean amid rising tensions with Venezuela.
- Officials say U.S. Southern Command has overseen nearly 30 lethal strikes against alleged drug-smuggling vessels, killing more than 100 people, while The Washington Post reported Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered prestrike and follow-up strikes killing two survivors.
- On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected two House measures to limit strikes, while Democrats seek unedited strike videos and some Republican leaders see no evidence of war crimes.
- Donovan's special-operations background suggests the Pentagon is positioning Southcom for covert missions, pairing the Monroe Doctrine revived this month with a counter-narcotics task force led by II Marine Expeditionary Force.
25 Articles
25 Articles
According to the Secretary of Defense, the US President appointed General Francis L. Donovan as Commander of the Southern Command of the United States.
Trump Nominates Marine General to Be New Head of Southern Command
President Donald Trump nominated Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan on Friday to be the new leader for U.S. Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM. Donovan is currently the vice commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, serving in this position since 2022. His nomination comes about a week after the previous leader resigned amid rising tensions with Venezuela and increasing airstrikes against suspected drug-smuggling boats. Special Operations Command descr…
U.S. President Donald Trump nominated U.S. Lieutenant General Francis Donovan, current Deputy Commander of the Special Operations Command, to head the U.S. Army Southern Command, responsible for U.S. forces in Latin America. The nomination comes after the early retirement of Admiral Alvin Holsey, who left office two years ahead of schedule.Read more]]>
Trump nominates Lt. Gen. Donovan to lead Southern Command, Pentagon says
WASHINGTON, Dec 19 - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday nominated the vice commander of Special Operations Command, Lieutenant General Frank Donovan, to lead the U.S. military's Southern Command overseeing U.S. troops in Latin America after the previous commander retired early. Read more at straitstimes.com.
By Mauricio Torres, CNN en Español. US President Donald Trump nominated Lieutenant General Francis L. Donovan on Friday as the new head of Southern Command, the branch of the US Armed Forces that oversees operations in Latin America. The nomination comes amid the US military deployment in the Caribbean and the Pacific and its attacks on vessels allegedly carrying drugs, as well as following the announcement of a “total blockade” of sanctioned oi…
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