US President Donald Trump has claimed that a US military operation killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as “Niño Guerrero,” the alleged leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the operation was carried out by US Southern Command and described it as a “swift and lethal kinetic strike.” He stated that the mission was conducted in coordination with Venezuelan authorities and resulted in the death of Guerrero, whom Washington has accused of leading one of the region’s most dangerous criminal networks.
Trump described Tren de Aragua as a major transnational criminal organization and said the operation was intended to deliver justice for victims of the group’s alleged crimes. He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to pursuing members of the organization wherever they may operate.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later confirmed that a military strike targeting Guerrero had taken place earlier in the week. He said the operation reflected cooperation between the United States and regional security partners in efforts to combat organized crime and narcotics trafficking.
Guerrero had been the subject of US sanctions and criminal charges related to racketeering, drug trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering. The US government previously designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization and had offered a reward for information leading to his capture.
The gang originated in Venezuela and expanded across several countries in Latin America, becoming associated with extortion, kidnapping, drug trafficking and other criminal activities. Authorities have long considered Guerrero one of the organization’s most influential leaders.