'Just the beginning': Pentagon warns of possible boots on the ground — outside Iran

A top defense official told Congress on Tuesday that the United States had not ruled out ground troops in its ongoing conflict against Latin American drug cartels, and so far, military operations in Central and South America were "just the beginning," according to a Politico report.

Joseph Humire, acting assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, said that lethal boat strikes against alleged drug boats were expected to continue indefinitely. Humire was speaking to a House Armed Services Committee, where Democratic lawmakers had questioned whether the United States had entered another "forever war" without a clear exit strategy or deadline.

"It’s the latest example of the administration doubling down on aggressive foreign policy interventions without clarifying what victory might look like, despite President Donald Trump’s past campaign pledges to avoid embroiling America in more overseas conflicts," Politico reported. "And it raises the prospect that the nation’s armed forces could be further strained amid a massive air war over Iran."

Humire said that "Operation Southern Spear" was saving lives, despite concerns from Democrats.

“We could shoot suspected criminals dead on the street here in America, and it may be a deterrent to crime, but that doesn’t make it legal,” Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA) said.

Humire repeated praise for President Donald Trump and claimed the administration's security mandates have been successful. So far, 157 people have been killed in 45 strikes on boats along the coast of South America.

“Interdiction is necessary, but insufficient,” Humire said. “Deterrence has a signaling effect on narco-terrorists, and raises the risks with their movements.”