MIAMI, Florida: The admiral in charge of U.S. military forces in Latin America stepped down on December 12, two years before his retirement date.

The decision comes amid rising tensions with Venezuela that include the seizure of an oil tanker this week and more than 20 deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.

Three U.S. officials and two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had virtually forced Admiral Alvin Holsey into resigning. Hegseth had become increasingly frustrated with Southern Command as he sought to activate U.S. military operations and planning in the region, two officials said.

One official confirmed that the discussion of whether Hegseth would dismiss Holsey surfaced some two weeks before the surprise announcement.

On October 16, Holsey had announced his intention to step down in December.

He has not publicly explained his early retirement. In remarks at his retirement ceremony at Southern Command headquarters in Miami on the morning of December 12, he called on the United States to stand by fellow democracies that share U.S. values.

"We must always be there for like-minded partners, like-minded nations who share our values: democracy, rule of law, and human rights," Holsey said.

There was speculation that he opposed the recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean. However, comments by Republican Representative Mike Rogers published in Politico revealed that in a closed-door meeting with senior lawmakers earlier this week, Holsey denied that his decision had anything to do with those operations.

Holsey formally handed over command to his deputy, Air Force Lieutenant General Evan Pettus, during a ceremony that extolled his accomplishments in uniform.

"You're an extraordinary human who has always led with your heart, your head, and gone all in (for) every single day of your service," said General Dan Caine, who became the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in April after his predecessor was fired.

Pettus will serve as the acting head of U.S. Southern Command.

A source familiar with the matter said President Donald Trump is expected to nominate Lieutenant General Frank Donovan, the vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, to replace Holsey, pending Senate approval. The source said the nomination has not been finalized and could still change.

Holsey's early retirement is unusual but not without precedent. In 2008, Admiral William Fallon, then head of U.S. Central Command, retired about a year into his term after comments on Iran and other issues upset the Bush administration.

Holsey is the latest senior officer to step down since Hegseth took charge of the Pentagon. Some exits have been sudden, including those of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman C.Q. Brown and top Navy officer Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to hold that role.

In recent months, the Trump administration has signaled a significant shift in foreign policy. A strategy document released this week called for reviving the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which declared the Western Hemisphere to be under Washington's influence.

Trump has also increased pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, an ally of Russia and China, whom Washington accuses of drug trafficking. Maduro denies the claims and says the U.S. military buildup is meant to overthrow him and seize Venezuela's oil.