Trump Says U.S. Airstrike Kills Notorious Tren de Aragua Gang Leader

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that American forces carried out a targeted military strike that killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as “Niño Guerrero,” the alleged leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua.

According to Trump, the operation was conducted by U.S. Southern Command and was closely coordinated with Venezuelan authorities. He described the strike as a major victory against transnational organized crime and terrorism.

Tren de Aragua, which originated in Venezuela, has been accused of involvement in drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, money laundering, kidnapping, and other criminal activities across several countries in the Americas. The United States has designated the group as a foreign terrorist organization.

Guerrero had been one of the most wanted criminal figures in Latin America and was facing multiple charges in the United States, including racketeering and support for terrorist activities. U.S. authorities had previously imposed sanctions on him and other senior members of the gang.

The operation marks a significant escalation in Washington’s campaign against international criminal networks. While U.S. officials hailed the strike as a major blow to the organization, analysts say the long-term impact will depend on whether authorities can dismantle the gang’s wider leadership structure and operations across the region.