Admiral overseeing US Southern Command, which includes forces in the Caribbean, retiring

Admiral Alvin Holsey will retire just one year into his tenure as the commander of U.S. Southern Command, which is responsible for forces in the Caribbean.

The announcement came days after the U.S. military conducted its fifth strike on a boat allegedly trafficking drugs off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people. 

"It's been an honor to serve our nation, the American people and support and defend the Constitution for over 37 years," Holsey said in a social media post in which he also said his official retirement date will be Dec. 12. 

The announcement also came one day after President Trump said publicly that he had authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to clamp down on the influx of drugs and illegal immigrants. Also on Wednesday, for more than four hours, U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers flew off the coast of Venezuela, CNN reported.

Two unnamed sources told CNN that there had been tensions between Hegseth and Holsey for weeks before the retirement announcement. 

Hegseth believed Holsey wasn't moving quickly or aggressively enough to combat drug traffickers in the Caribbean, and said he wasn't being given the information he needed about the operations, according to the sources. However, SOUTHCOM was concerned about the lawfulness of the operations, the sources said.

During an Oct. 6 meeting at the Pentagon, tensions came to a head at a meeting between Hegseth, Holsey, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, according to the sources. 

At the meeting, Holsey offered to resign, but the idea was tabled, and his departure was not announced until Thursday, according to a source.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell on Thursday reposted on X a report from The New York Times that claimed an official "said that Admiral Holsey had raised concerns about the mission and the attacks on the alleged drug boats."

Parnell denied the allegation, saying, "This is a total lie. Never happened. There was no hesitation or concerns about this mission. Just more Fake News."

"On behalf of the Department of War, we extend our deepest gratitude to Admiral Alvin Holsey for his more than 37 years of distinguished service to our nation as he plans to retire at year's end," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday on X.