U.S. Confirms Death of Venezuelan Gang Leader 'Niño Guerrero'

The United States has confirmed the death of Héctor Guerrero Flores, known as "Niño Guerrero," the leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the operation, which was carried out by the Southern Command in Venezuela's Bolívar state.

Guerrero, 42, had been a fugitive since 2023 after escaping a Venezuelan operation at Tocorón prison, which served as the Tren de Aragua's base. The organization had expanded its operations across Latin America and into the United States, where the Trump administration designated it a significant transnational criminal threat.

The U.S. State Department, through its Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, had offered up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero's arrest or conviction. This reward is now inactive following his death. The U.S. Treasury Department had previously sanctioned Guerrero and five other Tren de Aragua members in 2025 for involvement in drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, human trafficking, extortion, sexual exploitation, and money laundering.

Separately, the U.S. maintains an active reward of up to $4 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Yohan José Romero, who is considered a co-founder of Tren de Aragua.