Trump Claims U.S. Killed Venezuelan Drug Cartel Leader

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the successful targeted killing of the leader of the Venezuelan drug gang Tren de Aragua, describing the operation as a "swift and lethal kinetic strike."

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that the U.S. Southern Command executed the operation to "successfully execute Niño Guerrero, the notorious leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the bloodiest terrorist organizations on this planet." He added that the strike was carried out in close coordination with "our friends in Venezuela," referring to the interim government in Caracas.

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a swift and lethal kinetic strike

The Tren de Aragua gang, which originated in Venezuela, has expanded its operations to Colombia, Peru, and Chile. The U.S. has designated the group as a "terrorist organization."

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to successfully execute Niño Guerrero, the notorious leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the bloodiest terrorist organizations on this planet.

This announcement follows previous actions by the Trump administration in Venezuela. In January, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was reportedly captured in a U.S. military operation in Caracas and brought to the U.S. to face charges of "narcoterrorism." His former deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, was appointed interim president. Trump had previously declared Venezuela under U.S. control after Maduro's alleged capture.

In recent months, the U.S. military has repeatedly attacked boats suspected of drug smuggling, resulting in numerous deaths. The Trump administration has justified these actions as part of a war against "narco-terrorists" from Latin America. However, critics and some UN representatives have questioned the legality of these extraterritorial killings, citing a lack of definitive proof that those killed were indeed drug smugglers, with some victims identified as fishermen by authorities and relatives.

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in close coordination with 'our friends in Venezuela,' with whom we are working very well.