Trump Says Military Strike Killed Leader of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua Gang
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that American military forces carried out a targeted strike that killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as “Niño Guerrero,” the alleged leader of Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua criminal organization.
According to the president, the operation was a “swift and lethal” strike conducted by the U.S. Southern Command and coordinated with Venezuelan authorities.
Guerrero Flores had long been one of the most wanted figures in Latin America and was accused by U.S. authorities of crimes including drug trafficking, human trafficking, racketeering, and supporting terrorism.
The Tren de Aragua gang, which originated in a Venezuelan prison, has expanded its operations across several countries in the Americas and beyond, gaining a reputation for violent and organized criminal activities. The U.S. government previously designated the group as a foreign terrorist organization.
Trump stated that the strike was part of a broader effort to dismantle transnational criminal networks, describing the group as one of the most dangerous in the world.
However, independent verification details remain limited, and Venezuelan authorities have provided only partial confirmation, noting that the operation involved clashes with criminal elements and intelligence cooperation.
The claim originates from President Trump and has been reported by multiple major outlets.
The U.S. says the operation was coordinated with Venezuela.
The killed figure, “Niño Guerrero,” was a major criminal leader facing international charges.
Full independent confirmation and operational details are still emerging.
