Trump nominates Lt. Gen. Donovan to lead Southern Command, Pentagon says [View all]
Source: Reuters
December 19, 2025 6:33 PM EST Updated 11 hours ago
WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - 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. Reuters reported last week that Trump planned to nominate Donovan.
Last Friday, Admiral Alvin Holsey retired two years early at a ceremony in Miami. Tensions have been mounting with Venezuela, including last week's seizure of an oil tanker and nearly 30 deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.
Three U.S. officials and two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Holsey was pushed out by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Two officials said Hegseth had grown frustrated with the responsiveness of Holsey and Southern Command.
Donovan's nomination, which was announced by the Pentagon on Friday, will need to be confirmed by the Senate. Lawmakers, including some Republicans, have raised questions about the legality of strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-nominates-lt-gen-donovan-lead-southern-command-pentagon-says-2025-12-19/
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