A United States Marine Corps general, nominated to lead American military operations in Latin America, has told lawmakers he is ready to oversee an expanded presence that began before the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, but admitted he does not know how long this heightened focus will endure.
Lieutenant General Francis Donovan, if confirmed by the Senate, will take over US Southern Command, replacing Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, who retired last year amid scrutiny of the Trump administration’s deadly strikes on alleged drug boats in the region. US troops earlier this month deposed and apprehended Maduro, culminating a pressure campaign that began with the largest military buildup in the region for generations.
Democrats and Senator Angus King, an Independent, pressed Lt Gen Donovan for details on his oversight of Southern Command and the Trump administration's long-term regional plans. However, Lt Gen Donovan said he did not know the current plan, explaining that he is not involved in military plans for the region in his current role as vice commander of the US Special Operations Command. He acknowledged that the renewed interest in Latin America is likely to bring changes to Southern Command, which is headquartered in Doral, Florida.
The confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Service Committee was the latest effort by some lawmakers to question the Trump administration over its military operations in Latin America and its justification for the boat strikes, which have prompted concerns about international law and the use of force. Lawmakers also questioned Lt Gen Joshua Rudd, nominated to lead the National Security Agency, over his views on surveillance and concerns that the NSA could be used against innocent Americans.
Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA analyst, said she worries the Trump administration could order the NSA to spy on Americans because of their political views or speech, something she said is expressly forbidden by federal law. Rudd responded that if confirmed, he will execute his responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and all applicable laws. The NSA has been without a permanent director since Trump fired Gen Tim Haugh last year.
