Navy commander steps down, U.S. strike on Venezuelan boat leaves survivors

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Oct 16, 2025

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A Navy commander overseeing strikes on alleged drug boats off the Venezuelan coast stepped down Thursday as some of the intended targets of the latest U.S. aerial attack appear to have survived.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on X that 37-year veteran Admiral Alvin Holsey will retire by the end of the year.

“Throughout his career—from commanding helicopter squadrons to leading Carrier Strike Group One and standing up the International Maritime Security Construct—Admiral Holsey has demonstrated unwavering commitment to mission, people, and nation,” Hegseth said Thursday.

Holsey had spent less than a year in a position that was expected to last three years, according to the New York Times. A reason for his departure wasn’t stated. He reportedly had reservations about U.S. operations in Central and South America targeting non-military ships.

At least 27 people appear to have been killed in those strikes in recent weeks. One strike that took place Thursday in the Caribbean left behind survivors, a U.S. official told Reuters. Who those crew members were or what became of them isn’t clear.

The Trump administration contends it’s at war with Venezuelan narco-terrorist groups.

Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador reportedly petitioned the United Nations Security Council to condemn the attacks as illegal.

President Trump said Wednesday he’d authorized the CIA to operate in Venezuela. He claims the country is sending drugs and “mentally ill” people into the United States.