Fear and uncertainty grip Venezuela's southern mining regions after 'El Niño Guerrero' falls

A week after a joint U.S.-Venezuelan military operation resulted in the death of notorious criminal leader Héctor Guerrero Flores, known as "El Niño Guerrero," uncertainty now pervades mining communities in southeastern Venezuela. Towns such as Las Claritas and Kilómetro 88 in Bolívar state, a region rich in gold and part of the Orinoco Mining Arc, are grappling with questions about the fate of other criminal leaders and the broader consequences for their daily lives.

Residents, like Laura from Las Claritas who spoke under a pseudonym for security reasons, describe an atmosphere of apprehension. While initial fear led to businesses closing, a cautious calm has settled, marked by a rejection of looting. However, the underlying tension remains, as the region's economy and social fabric have long been dictated by armed irregular groups who impose their own rules.

The operation, which targeted criminal structures, reportedly sought Yohan José Romero, alias "Johan Petrica," a member of the transnational Tren de Aragua gang and Guerrero's lieutenant, as well as Juan Gabriel Rivas Núñez, known as "Negro Juancho," a local gang leader. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

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The people are calm. Looting has been rejected, and that is the only protest that has occurred. The first few days, nobody wanted to open their businesses. Then we started seeing how the situation developed, but nothing more is said.

Initially, Venezuela denied Guerrero's presence in the country. However, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Guerrero's capture in a "swift and lethal" strike by the U.S. Southern Command, noting a $5 million reward for his capture. Venezuelan authorities later confirmed his death in "southeastern Venezuela" without providing further details. They also claimed that "criminal operational centers" were dismantled in the operation, but did not specify casualties.

Local authorities have remained largely silent. However, the Minister of Ecological Mining Development and Basic Industries, Héctor Silva, met with workers in Las Claritas to discuss mining activity and security. The future of mining in these areas, heavily influenced by organized crime, remains a significant concern for the local population.

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For me it is an absolute gift to be here again.