Trump says leader of Venezuelan gang killed in American strikes

President Donald Trump announced Friday that U.S. forces, acting on his orders, have killed the leader of a Venezuelan gang. Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as Nino Guerrero and identified as the leader of the notorious Tren De Aragua gang, was targeted in a "swift and lethal kinetic strike" coordinated with Venezuelan authorities.

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At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Nino Guerrero, the infamous leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organisations on Planet Earth.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared, "At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Nino Guerrero, the infamous leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organisations on Planet Earth." He added that the gang "no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else," emphasizing the success of the operation.

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Tren de Aragua terrorists no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else.

Trump used the announcement to launch a sharp critique of former President Joe Biden, accusing his administration of "opening the country’s Southern Border to millions of ‘Illegal Criminals’" and allowing foreign gangs to harm American citizens with impunity. Trump recalled his campaign pledge to expel such individuals and bring justice to victims, citing the deaths of Jocelyn Nungaray and Laken Reilly, among others. He framed the strike as retribution for these victims and their families.

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With this action, the United States Military has brought retribution for them, their families, and their loved ones.

The U.S. State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero Flores's capture. Federal prosecutors reportedly described him as "The Unspeakable" or "The Big Eyebrow," noting his role in expanding Tren De Aragua from a Venezuelan prison gang into a transnational organization with a presence across the Americas, including the United States. Venezuela's Ministry of Information confirmed the operation occurred through cooperation and intelligence sharing between U.S. and Venezuelan security agencies.

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Under my leadership, we will find these vicious murderers and drugs lords anytime, anyplace, and send them to the depths of hell where they belong.