Overview
- Donovan, currently the deputy at U.S. Special Operations Command and a Marine with extensive special operations experience, was named by the Pentagon to succeed Adm. Alvin Holsey.
- Holsey exited early after internal disputes over the legality and consequences of recent maritime strikes, according to multiple media reports citing Pentagon sources.
- The nomination comes during expanded U.S. operations in Caribbean and Pacific waters, with about 29 suspected drug boats destroyed and at least 100 deaths reported since September 2.
- U.S. deployments in the region include warships, aircraft, and roughly 15,000 personnel, as the administration intensifies sanctions and moves to enforce a blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.
- Trump said he does not rule out war with Venezuela, and the U.N. Security Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the escalating crisis.