The United States conducted a military strike that killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, the alleged leader of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
According to an announcement from the White House, U.S. Southern Command carried out the action at Trump’s direction. The strike targeted a compound in Venezuela and was described as closely coordinated with the Venezuelan government.
Venezuela’s communications ministry confirmed participation in a combined operation in Bolívar state, southeastern Venezuela, where clashes with criminal group members resulted in Guerrero Flores’ death.
“At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Niño Guerrero, the infamous leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organizations on Planet Earth,” President Trump announced in a Truth Social post.
“Tren de Aragua terrorists no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else and, under my leadership, we will find these vicious murderers and drug lords anytime, anyplace, and send them to the depths of hell where they belong.” The post included video footage showing a strike on a small building with a green roof, which killed the gang leader.
President Donald J. Trump has announced on Truth Social that, at his direction, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has carried out a lethal kinetic strike on Niño Guerrero, the alleged leader of Tren de Argua, in coordination with the Venezuelan authorities. pic.twitter.com/gcKXhm3Viu
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2026
U.S. authorities had offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero Flores’ capture. He faced a federal indictment in New York on charges including racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, and cocaine conspiracy.
Prosecutors alleged he directed TdA operations from Tocorón Prison in Venezuela, where he reportedly lived in relative luxury with control over parts of the facility, before escaping.
TdA originated in the early 2010s as a prison gang in Aragua state, Venezuela. Under Guerrero Flores’ leadership, it expanded into a transnational criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, extortion, human smuggling, and violence across Latin America and with expanded presence in the United States over the last several years.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth noted the strike underscored shared U.S.-Venezuelan commitment against narco-terrorists. The operation follows a period of shifting U.S.-Venezuela relations, including the earlier removal of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces and the installation of an interim government under Delcy Rodríguez. Guerrero Flores had been named a co-conspirator in indictments related to Maduro.
The United States has designated Tren de Aragua (TdA) and certain other drug trafficking organizations as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation, formalized in early 2025, has enabled a range of actions including targeted military operations, sanctions, and enhanced law enforcement measures against members and associates.
