General tapped to lead US operations in Latin America grilled over presence in region

U.S. Southern Command Nominee Faces Questions Amid Venezuelan Operations

The Marine Corps general nominated to lead U.S. military operations in Latin America told senators Thursday he’s prepared to oversee an expanded military presence in the region that began prior to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s capture, though he acknowledged uncertainty about the long-term strategy.

Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan, currently serving as vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing to lead the U.S. Southern Command. If confirmed, Donovan would replace Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, who retired last year amid growing scrutiny over the Trump administration’s operations against alleged drug trafficking vessels in the region.

The hearing comes at a pivotal moment for U.S. military engagement in Latin America. Earlier this month, U.S. forces deposed and detained Maduro, marking the culmination of a pressure campaign that included the largest military buildup in the region in generations. This expanded operation has involved numerous strikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling and the seizure of oil tankers linked to Venezuela’s sanctioned petroleum industry.

Several lawmakers, including Democrats and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, pressed Donovan for details about his vision for Southern Command and the administration’s broader regional strategy.

“So you don’t know what the plan is now? You don’t know why all those ships and aircraft and soldiers are there?” King asked directly.

“Senator, I do not,” Donovan responded, explaining that his current role doesn’t involve him in operational planning for Latin America.

Despite this admission, Donovan recognized that the administration’s renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere would likely transform Southern Command’s operational priorities. When Arizona Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly asked if Southern Command would need to function differently than in previous years, Donovan replied, “Yes I do.”

Southern Command, headquartered in Doral, Florida, oversees U.S. military operations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The command has historically operated with fewer resources than other geographic combatant commands, but recent developments in Venezuela appear to have elevated its strategic importance.

The hearing also reflected growing congressional concern about the legal justification for U.S. military strikes on vessels in international waters. Some lawmakers have questioned whether these operations comply with international law and appropriate use of force standards.

The committee simultaneously considered the nomination of Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd to lead the National Security Agency (NSA), which has been without permanent leadership since President Trump dismissed Gen. Tim Haugh last year. The NSA director also commands the Pentagon’s Cyber Command, placing the role at the center of America’s digital security apparatus.

Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, raised concerns about potential political misuse of surveillance capabilities. Slotkin, who is reportedly among several Democratic lawmakers facing criminal investigation after appearing in a video urging military personnel to resist illegal orders, pressed Rudd on his commitment to following legal restrictions on domestic surveillance.

“Will you reject that?” Slotkin asked, referring to the possibility of politically motivated surveillance.

“Senator, if confirmed, I will execute my responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and all applicable laws,” Rudd responded.

Lawmakers from both parties expressed confidence that the nominations would ultimately be approved, though no date for a confirmation vote has been announced.

The hearings highlight the complex intersection of military operations, foreign policy, and domestic politics as the United States recalibrates its approach to Latin America amid ongoing regional instability. For Southern Command, this shift represents both an opportunity for increased relevance and the challenge of operating under heightened congressional scrutiny.