The U.S. commander for South America, Admiral Alvin Holsey, is retiring after just one year in office.

The admiral who leads the U.S. military forces in Latin America (SOUTHCOM), Alvin Holsey, will resign at the end of this year, two years ahead of schedule, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday in a surprising move amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.

On X, Holsey said he will retire on December 12, but similarly did not provide any reason. "It has been an honor to serve our nation, the American people, and to support and defend the Constitution for over 37 years," he said.