U.S. Admiral Holsey Makes First Brazil Visit to Strengthen Defense Ties

Admiral Alvin Holsey, Commander of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), arrived in Brazil on May 19 for a three-day strategic visit. This marks his first trip to Brazil since taking command of SOUTHCOM in November 2024.

The visit aims to deepen security cooperation between the United States and Brazil, longtime partners in the Western Hemisphere. Holsey’s agenda includes key meetings with Brazilian Defense Minister José Múcio and top military commanders in Brasília.

He will also travel to Rio Branco in Acre state to assess border security challenges with Peru and Bolivia. These discussions focus on countering illicit trafficking and enhancing regional stability.

The 59-year-old admiral assumed SOUTHCOM leadership after serving as its deputy commander. The U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment in September 2024.

Holsey’s naval career spans over three decades since joining through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at Morehouse College in 1988. U.S.-Brazil defense cooperation dates back to World War I and strengthened significantly in 2019.

That year, Brazil received Major Non-NATO Ally status, becoming only the second Latin American nation with this designation after Argentina. This status has enabled deeper military collaboration and technology sharing between both countries.

Strengthening U.S.-Brazil Security Partnership

The partnership includes annual Combined Operation and Rotation Exercises (CORE). In 2023, these exercises involved 300 U.S. troops and 1,200 Brazilian service members in Amazon region training.

The following year, joint exercises moved to Fort Johnson, Louisiana. Recent cooperation expanded into cyber defense through expert exchanges held in Brasília in April 2025.

Brazil also purchased 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters worth $950 million in November 2024. These aircraft will help combat transnational criminal organizations and support disaster relief operations.

This visit occurs amid growing concerns about Chinese and Russian influence in Latin America. SOUTHCOM conducted 1,125 security cooperation activities in fiscal year 2024 and plans 1,171 more for 2025.

These efforts underscore the strategic importance of U.S.-Brazil relations in maintaining regional security. The partnership between the two largest democracies and military forces in the Western Hemisphere continues to evolve.

Both nations remain committed to addressing shared security challenges and promoting stability throughout the region.