The upcoming leadership change at the U.S. Southern Command could signal a significant shift in American military focus in Latin America. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan, nominated to head the command, shared his readiness to manage a newly expanded military footprint in the region during a Senate hearing on Thursday.
Should the Senate confirm him, Donovan will succeed Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, who retired last year amidst scrutiny of the Trump administration’s aggressive actions in the Caribbean. These actions included strikes on purported drug smuggling vessels and came as part of a broader strategy to exert U.S. influence in Latin America.
The recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro marked a high point in this strategy, which featured the largest U.S. military buildup in the area in decades. This buildup extended to numerous operations targeting drug boats and sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela.
Democrats and Independent Sen. Angus King sought clarity from Donovan regarding the Southern Command’s future under his leadership and the long-term plans initiated by the previous administration. Donovan admitted his current role as vice commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command has kept him out of such strategic discussions. “Senator, I do not,” he responded when asked about his knowledge of existing plans.
The enhanced focus on Latin America is expected to necessitate changes within the Southern Command, headquartered in Doral, Florida. “Do you expect, because of this pivot to the Western Hemisphere, that SouthCom this year is going to have to be much different than SouthCom last year?” questioned Sen. Mark Kelly. Donovan affirmed, “Yes I do.”
The Senate Armed Services Committee hearing also examined the nomination of Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd to lead the National Security Agency (NSA). Senators expressed concerns about the NSA’s potential misuse for domestic surveillance, as raised by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who questioned Rudd on the matter. “Will you reject that?” Slotkin inquired, worried about unauthorized spying on Americans. Rudd assured, “Senator, if confirmed, I will execute my responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and all applicable laws.”
The NSA has been operating without a permanent director since Gen. Tim Haugh’s dismissal last year, making Rudd’s nomination critical as the NSA director also commands the Pentagon’s Cyber Command. Lawmakers from both parties indicated they anticipate approval of both Donovan’s and Rudd’s nominations, although the vote timing remains unannounced.
