WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Friday that a U.S. military strike killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as “Niño Guerrero,” the alleged leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, in an operation coordinated with the Venezuelan government.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that at his direction, U.S. Southern Command carried out a “swift and lethal kinetic strike” on a Tren de Aragua compound, resulting in the death of Guerrero Flores. The Venezuelan government confirmed the outcome of the joint operation, according to statements reported by multiple outlets.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike targeted a compound in Venezuela, describing it as a significant action against the gang, which the U.S. has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Trump shared video footage of the operation on social media.
Tren de Aragua, originating from a Venezuelan prison, has been linked by U.S. authorities to crimes including drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion and violence in the United States and Latin America. Officials have connected some members to high-profile cases involving American victims.
The announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s broader efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations. Trump stated that “Tren de Aragua terrorists no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else,” according to his social media post.
Venezuelan officials described the operation as resulting in the neutralization of Guerrero Flores during clashes with criminal group members. Details on the precise timing and location of the strike beyond it occurring in Venezuela remained limited in initial reports.
A Pentagon spokesperson and other officials have not released additional operational specifics. Some lawmakers from both parties have welcomed the action as a step against gang activity, while questions about long-term impacts on the organization’s structure persist.
“Under my leadership, we will find these vicious murderers and drug lords anytime, anyplace,” Trump said in his announcement.
As of Saturday, U.S. and Venezuelan authorities continued to assess the results of the strike. No further details on casualties beyond the reported death of the gang leader or immediate reactions from remaining Tren de Aragua elements were available. Officials indicated the operation forms part of ongoing counter-crime initiatives.
