Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan was confirmed by the Senate to lead U.S. Southern Command after a 37-year Marine career that includes infantry, reconnaissance and special operations. He pledged to defend U.S. interests and deter conflict, while stressing he would seek clarification from headquarters if orders raise legal concerns. His appointment comes as the Pentagon's 2026 strategy emphasizes renewed U.S. military dominance in the Western Hemisphere and follows a campaign of strikes on vessels alleged to be linked to drug trafficking that reportedly killed at least 116 people.
Senate Confirms Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan to Lead U.S. Southern Command Amid Controversy Over Maritime Strikes
Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan speaks during a visit to Naval Special Warfare Group 1 in San Diego, California, Feb. 11, 2025. (MC2 David Rowe/U.S. Navy)(Petty Officer 2nd Class David Rowe)
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan was confirmed by the Senate on Friday to serve as commander of U.S. Southern Command, assuming a four-star post as the administration moves to reinforce American military presence in the Western Hemisphere.
The Senate approved Donovan by voice vote. A career officer of 37 years, Donovan's record spans infantry, reconnaissance and special operations; he has commanded Marines and sailors across all three Marine Expeditionary Forces and most recently served as SOUTHCOM's vice commander.
The previous SOUTHCOM commander, Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, relinquished duties Dec. 12, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote on X. After Holsey's departure, Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus served as acting commander.
During his January confirmation hearing Donovan pledged 'to protect America's vital national interests, deter war, and, if necessary, win them quickly and decisively.'
Donovan will oversee the Pentagon's maritime operations across the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific. Since early September, the administration has authorized more than three dozen strikes on vessels accused of links to drug trafficking; Military Times' tally reports that those attacks have killed at least 116 people. The White House has maintained that the strikes comply with the law of armed conflict.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a critic of the administration for not providing lawmakers with the legal basis for the strikes, pressed Donovan on how he would respond to concerns about potentially unlawful orders. Warren asked whether 'it is sedition for someone in the military to question whether an order is illegal.' Donovan said he routinely seeks clarification from headquarters when orders are unclear and that he would raise his concerns to higher headquarters for consideration.
The confirmation comes amid a broader shift in Pentagon strategy. The 2026 National Defense Strategy released last month emphasizes renewed U.S. military focus in the Western Hemisphere — an approach President Trump has called the 'Donroe Doctrine.' The strategy states, 'We will guarantee U.S. military and commercial access to key terrain, especially the Panama Canal, Gulf of America, and Greenland,' and pledges to provide 'credible military options to use against narco-terrorists wherever they may be.' These language choices have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and international observers alike.
Donovan's family has deep military ties: his wife is a former Navy officer and their children serve as active-duty Marines. No formal date for Donovan's full assumption of command was announced at the time of confirmation.
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