US military strike kills Tren de Aragua leader Hector Guerrero

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that U.S. forces carried out a military strike that killed Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Trump stated on Truth Social that the United States Southern Command executed a swift and lethal kinetic strike against Guerrero, whom he described as the leader of one of the most bloodthirsty terrorist organizations.^[1][2][3]

According to Trump, the operation was closely coordinated with Venezuelan authorities. Venezuela's information ministry confirmed the cooperation, stating that the operation involved intelligence-sharing and specialized technological support. The ministry reported that clashes occurred with criminal groups during the operation, resulting in Guerrero being neutralized. Additionally, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that the strike took place earlier in the week and confirmed Guerrero's death.^[1]

The Trump administration has previously targeted Tren de Aragua with sanctions due to its involvement in illicit drug smuggling, human trafficking, and money laundering. The State Department has designated the group as a foreign terrorist organization. Trump has also claimed that the gang coordinates its activities in the United States with the Venezuelan government of President Nicolás Maduro, using this connection to justify deporting certain immigrants to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador.^[1]