SOUTHCOM Commander Visits Argentina
Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey visited Argentina April 28 – May 1, 2025, and met with Argentine President Javier Milei and senior defense leaders to discuss defense cooperation.
Allied impact: USCG, Royal Netherlands Navy Seize $14.1M of Drugs in Caribbean Sea
The Coast Guard offloaded more than 5,300 pounds of illicit narcotics at Base Miami Beach, May 2, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the USCGC Diligence and HNLMS Groningen.
U.S. Navy, USCG Seize 580 Kilos of Cocaine in Two At-Sea Drug Busts in Caribbean
Minneapolis-Saint Paul, with an embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 50, Detachment Three, made the two busts in the Caribbean, confiscating more than $12M worth of illicit drugs.
Hospital Ship to Deploy to Latin America and the Caribbean for Continuing Promise Mission
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced April 9 that USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) will deploy in support of Continuing Promise 2025 later this year and provide medical care, foster goodwill, and strengthen partnerships.

LATEST NEWS AND RELEASES

Multinational Exercise CENTAM Guardian 2025 Strengthens Regional Security Cooperation
Official logo of CENTAM Guardian 2024. The multinational exercise, hosted in Honduras and Costa Rica, is designed to build humanitarian assistance/disaster response capacity, enhance readiness to combat common threats in Central America, and promote cooperation.
May 6, 2025 - U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and the Guatemalan Ministry of Defense will co-host the multinational exercise CENTAM GUARDIAN 2025 May 12-23 at various locations across Guatemala. Military and security forces from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, and the United States will participate in the exercise, building upon the success of previous iterations held annually since 2018.
90 days in -- Joint Task Force Southern Guard
U.S. service members support interagency partners escorting illegal aliens as part of Operation Southern Guard at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Feb. 10, 2025. Joint Task Force Southern Guard is supporting illegal alien holding operations led by the Department of Homeland Security at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (US Army photo)
May 6, 2025 - There are 2,160 hours in 90 days — that’s exactly how long Joint Task Force Southern Guard has been active. In that time, more than 2,500 Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, interagency civilians and contractors answered a short-notice tasking to deploy to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of the Department of Homeland Security’s Illegal Alien Holding Operations.
Hegseth says deterring China important for hemispheric security
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Peruvian Minister of Defense Walter Astudillo and Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmer Schialer stand for the playing of the U.S. and Peruvian national anthems prior to a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon, May 5, 2025.
May 5, 2025 - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted an enhanced honor cordon and meeting, welcoming Peruvian Defense Minister Walter Astudillo and Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Elmer Schialer to the Pentagon.
Colombian Minister of Defense visits SOUTHCOM
Colombian Minister of Defense Pedro Sánchez and U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), prepare to walk to the entrance of the SOUTHCOM headquarters as honors are rendered, May 5, 2025, in Doral, Florida. Sánchez visited SOUTHCOM to meet with command leaders to discuss the U.S.-Colombian bilateral defense partnership and regional security. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Oblander, SOUTHCOM Public Affairs)
May 5, 2025 - Colombia's Minister of Defense Pedro Sánchez visited U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) May 5, 2025, and held discussions with SOUTHCOM commander, U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, and command leaders.
Coast Guard offloads more than $14 million in illicit drugs interdicted in Caribbean Sea
The crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Venturous pose before preparing to offload a pallet of illegal narcotics at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, May 2, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of USCGC Diligence (WMEC-616) and HNLMS Groningen (P843) with an embarked Coast Guard law enforcement detachment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
May 2, 2025 - U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Venturous’ crew offloaded approximately 5,300 pounds of cocaine and marijuana worth an estimated $14.1 million, Friday, at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach.  
Adm. Holsey Meets with President Milei and Defense Leaders in Argentina
Argentine President Javier Milei holds a meeting with U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), April 29, 2025, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Holsey visited Argentina April 28 – May 1, 2025, and met with Milei and senior defense leaders to discuss strengthening the longstanding U.S.-Argentina defense partnership. (Photo courtesy Argentine Office of the President)
May 1, 2025 - U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Argentina April 28 – May 1, 2025, and met with Argentine President Javier Milei and senior defense leaders to discuss strengthening the longstanding U.S.-Argentina defense partnership.
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PHOTOS

A man in a dark suit stands alongside a man in a white uniform saluting.
A woman in a military uniform shakes hands with a man in a black suit.
A man in a black suit stands alongside a man in a white uniform saluting.
The crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Diligence interdict a suspected drug smuggling vessel offshore of Puerto Oviedo, Dominican Republic, April 12, 2025. USCGC Venturous’ (WMEC 625) crew offloaded more than 1,294 pounds of cocaine and 4,012 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $14.1 million intercepted in the Caribbean Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
The crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Diligence recover jettisoned packages from a suspected drug smuggling vessel offshore of Puerto Oviedo, Dominican Republic, April 12, 2025. USCGC Venturous’ (WMEC 625) crew offloaded more than 1,294 pounds of cocaine and 4,012 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $14.1 million intercepted in the Caribbean Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Coast Guard and HNLMS Groningen crew members interdict a suspected drug smuggling vessel offshore of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, April 5, 2025. USCGC Venturous’ (WMEC 625) crew offloaded more than 1,294 pounds of cocaine and 4,012 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $14.1 million intercepted in the Caribbean Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Coast Guard and HNLMS Groningen crew members interdict a suspected drug smuggling vessel offshore of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, April 4, 2025. USCGC Venturous’ (WMEC 625) crew offloaded more than 1,294 pounds of cocaine and 4,012 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $14.1 million intercepted in the Caribbean Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Bales of illegal narcotics are offloaded by crew members of Coast Guard Cutter Venturous at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, May 2, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of USCGC Diligence (WMEC 616) and HNLMS Groningen (P843) with an embarked Coast Guard law enforcement detachment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
The crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Venturous pose before preparing to offload a pallet of illegal narcotics at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, May 2, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of USCGC Diligence (WMEC-616) and HNLMS Groningen (P843) with an embarked Coast Guard law enforcement detachment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
Crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Venturous (WMEC-625) offload bales of illegal drugs at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, May 2, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of USCGC Diligence (WMEC-616) and HNLMS Groningen (P843) with an embarked Coast Guard law enforcement detachment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
Coast Guard Cutter Venturous (WMEC-625) arrives to offload illegal narcotics at Base Miami Beach, Florida, May 2, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of USCGC Diligence (WMEC-616) and HNLMS Groningen (P843) with an embarked Coast Guard law enforcement detachment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
Two men in military dress uniforms walk with a formation of troops in the background.
A group of people pose for a photo while seated around a long table.
A group of military leaders walk with a waterway in the background.
A man in a military uniform points to a waterway while a three people look on.
A man in a black military uniform shakes hand with a man in a dark gray suit.
The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 406, seize approximately 1716 lbs. of marijuana while conducting counter-narcotics operations, April 13, 2025. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 406, seize approximately 1716 lbs. of marijuana while conducting counter-narcotics operations, April 13, 2025. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 406, seize approximately 580kgs of cocaine and 764 lbs. of marijuana while conducting counter-narcotics operations, April 12, 2025. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 406, seize approximately 580kgs of cocaine and 764 lbs. of marijuana while conducting counter-narcotics operations, April 12, 2025. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection drug sniffing dog, Boomer, and his handler verify illicit drugs during a drug offload from USCGC Tampa (WMEC 902) at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 30, 2025. The Tampa crew offloaded 59 bales of drugs worth more than $12 million seized in the Caribbean Sea by the crew of USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul and their embarked Navy helicopter. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Sherbs)
Bales of illicit drugs worth more than $12 million are stacked on a pier during a drug offload from USCGC Tampa (WMEC 902) at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 30, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of two interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crew of USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul and their embarked Navy helicopter and Coast Guard law enforcement detachments. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Sherbs)
A USCGC Tampa (WMEC 902) crew member passes a bale of illicit drugs to another crew member during a drug offload at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 30, 2025. The crew offloaded 59 bales of illicit drugs worth more than $12 million resulting from two interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crew of USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul and their embarked Navy helicopter. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Sherbs)
Crew members aboard USCGC Tampa (WMEC 902) offload 59 bales of illicit drugs worth more than $12 million at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 30, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of two interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crew of USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul and their embarked Navy helicopter and Coast Guard law enforcement detachments. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Sherbs)
Crew members aboard USCGC Tampa (WMEC 902) offload 59 bales of illicit drugs worth more than $12 million at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 30, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of two interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crew of USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul and their embarked Navy helicopter and Coast Guard law enforcement detachments. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Sherbs)
40th iteration of exercise TRADEWINDS 25 unites 26 nations promoting security in the Western Hemisphere
40th iteration of exercise TRADEWINDS 25 unites 26 nations promoting security in the Western Hemisphere
40th iteration of exercise TRADEWINDS 25 unites 26 nations promoting security in the Western Hemisphere
Two men in white military uniforms shake hands.
A man in a white military uniform holds a ceremonial rifle on his shoulder.
Crew members from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) stack bales of interdicted illegal drugs on the flight deck to prepare for offload in San Diego, April 24, 2025. The crew members seized the narcotics in the Eastern Pacific during counter-narcotic patrols. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Uranga)
Crew members aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) stage pallets of cocaine to be transferred during a drug offload event in San Diego, April 24, 2025. Kimball was able to seize over $214 million dollars worth of cocaine during their patrol of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley)
Captain Robert Kinsey, Commanding Officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) speaks at a press conference during a drug offload event in San Diego April 24, 2025. Multiple U.S. agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security, collaborate in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) crew members, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Los Angeles/Long Beach, Navy, Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville all stand at attention during an all hands event during a drug offload in San Diego April 24, 2025. The Coast Guard Cutter Kimball’s crew and their partners can operate in the most demanding open ocean environments, and the vast approaches of the Southern Pacific, where significant narcotics trafficking occurs. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley)
Two men in white military uniforms pose for a photo.
Two men in white military uniforms stand saluting at the foot of a red carpet flanked by a military honor guard.
Two men in white military uniforms shake hands.
Col. James Bershinsky, 433rd Medical Group and Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team commander, provides opening remarks during Guyana LAMAT 2025 opening ceremony, Georgetown, Guyana, March 31, 2025.
President of Guyana Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Melissa A. Coburn, 22nd Air Force commander, poses for a photo after the President of Guyana gifted Coburn with his presidential coin after the closing ceremony for the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team mission at the Guyana President’s estate in Georgetown, Guyana, April 11, 2025.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Melissa A. Coburn, 22nd Air Force commander, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Angella Mudd, 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron and LAMAT Guyana mission commander, and U.S. Air Force LAMAT members pose for a group photo following the closing ceremony for the LAMAT mission at the Guyana President’s estate in Georgetown, Guyana, April 11, 2025.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jermey Bolin, 959th Medical Group vascular surgeon, left, Tameshwar Algu, New Amsterdam Hospital general surgeon, center-left, U.S. Air Force Maj. Porter Maerz, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron general surgeon, center-right, and U.S. Air Force Capt. Randy Perez, 301st Medical Squadron operating room nurse, right, performs a vascular procedure on a patient at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital in New Amsterdam, Guyana, April 1, 2025.
U.S. Air Force members from the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistant Team and Georgetown Public Hospital healthcare professionals at the Georgetown Public Hospital examine a two-month-old patient under anesthesia before receiving eye surgery in Georgetown, Guyana, April 7, 2025.
U.S. Air Force members from the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistant Team and Georgetown Public Hospital healthcare professionals at the Georgetown Public Hospital administer general anesthesia on a two-month-old patient before receiving eye surgery in Georgetown, Guyana, April 7, 2025.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rodrigo Salinas, 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron medical technician, and Gangapattie Dani, Georgetown Public Hospital Accident and Emergency Department ward manager, pose for a photos outside the emergency room at the Georgetown Public Hospital during the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team mission in Georgetown, Guyana, April 7, 2025.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Wan Chen, 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron psychiatric nurse practitioner, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Quinton Murry, 433rd ASTS psychiatric nurse practitioner, pose for a photo outside the psychiatry clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital during the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team mission in Georgetown, Guyana, April 7, 2025.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Samuel Hobbs, 59th Medical Wing vitreoretinal surgeon, works with local healthcare professionals during ophthalmology surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Georgetown, Guyana, April 7, 2025 during the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team 2025 mission.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Alisha Young, 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron critical care air transport team physician, draws an arterial blood gas sample from a patient at the emergency room inside the Georgetown Public Hospital during the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team mission in Georgetown, Guyana, April 3, 2025.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Alisha Young, 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron critical care air transport team physician, teaches an internal medicine intern how to draw an arterial blood gas sample from a patient at the emergency room inside the Georgetown Public Hospital during the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team mission in Georgetown, Guyana, April 3, 2025.
U.S. Air Force members from the 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron work with Guyanese healthcare professionals during an emergency at the Georgetown Public Hospital during the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team mission in Georgetown, Guyana, April 3, 2025.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Alisha Young, 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron critical care air transport team physician, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rodrigo Salinas, 433rd ASTS medical technician, provides assistance to doctors and healthcare professionals during an emergency at the Georgetown Public Hospital during the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team mission in Georgetown, Guyana, April 3, 2025.

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SOUTHCOM COMMANDER

Adm. Alvin Holsey bio photo

Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey is the commander of U.S. Southern Command. He assumed command Nov. 7, 2024.

Adm. Holsey's Bio

 

TEAM SOUTHCOM button. Links to Team SOUTHCOM page.

A Network of Mutual Support: Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command, or TEAM SOUTHCOM, is a command-sponsored organization that aims to support command service members, civilians and family members -- in South Florida and assigned throughout the region.