Amid concern that two Trinidadian fishermen are believed to be among six killed in the US’ fifth lethal boat-strike on vessels in the Caribbean Sea earlier this week, head of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Admiral Alvin Holsey has announced that he will soon depart from the job.

Holsey is currently the military commander overseeing the attacks against alleged ‘drug-carrying' vessels which have thus far have a confirmed death toll of at least 27. In a statement posted by SOUTHCOM’s social media on Thursday, Halsey announced that he would be stepping down from the US Navy, effective December 12.

He had served in the position for less than a year, according to the New York Times.