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🇮🇹 Italy /Crime & Justice

US raid eliminates leader of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua criminal gang

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The US conducted an airstrike in Venezuela, eliminating Hector Guerrero Flores, the leader of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang.
  • President Trump called the gang one of the most bloodthirsty terrorist organizations and vowed to hunt down such criminals.
  • Venezuelan authorities confirmed the operation, stating no US soldiers entered the country and that specialized technological support was provided.

The United States has eliminated Hector Guerrero Flores, also known as 'Nino Guerrero,' the leader of the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua, in an airstrike. The Pentagon described the operation as a "clear warning" to narcotraffickers.

Before my return to office, Joe Biden had thrown open our southern border to millions of illegal aliens, allowing this foreign army to rape, mutilate, and murder American citizens with impunity.

— Donald TrumpUS President Donald Trump criticized the current administration's border policies while announcing the elimination of the Tren de Aragua leader.

US President Donald Trump ordered the strike, labeling Tren de Aragua as "one of the most bloodthirsty terrorist organizations on the planet." He shared a video of the strike on Truth Social, showing a building exploding after being hit by a missile or bomb. Trump criticized the Biden administration for an open border that allowed undocumented criminals into the US, vowing to expel such individuals and bring justice to their victims. He asserted that Tren de Aragua terrorists no longer have a safe haven and will be pursued relentlessly.

Now, the terrorists of Tren de Aragua have no safe haven, neither in Venezuela nor anywhere else: under my leadership, we will hunt down these ruthless murderers and narcotraffickers wherever they are and send them to the depths of hell where they belong.

— Donald TrumpTrump vowed to pursue and eliminate members of the Tren de Aragua gang globally.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed the joint operation with Venezuela, highlighting the "full collaboration" in combating narcoterrorists. Venezuelan authorities verified the airstrike, clarifying that no US soldiers were physically present in Venezuela during the operation. The Ministry of Communications and Information in Caracas reported clashes with criminal elements during the operation, which received specialized technological support and information sharing between the two countries.

full collaboration

— Pete HegsethPentagon chief Pete Hegseth emphasized the joint effort between the US and Venezuela in combating narcoterrorists.

The Venezuelan government, led by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, reiterated its commitment to fighting organized crime and ensuring the peace and security of its citizens. Recent operations by Venezuelan military forces in border regions aimed to regain control of mines seized by the criminal organization. The gang, 'Tren de Aragua,' derives its name from the Tocoron penitentiary in northern Venezuela, which became the group's headquarters after Guerrero's incarceration there in 2013.

no US soldier set foot on the country's territory during the action.

— Venezuelan Ministry of Communications and InformationVenezuelan authorities confirmed the airstrike, clarifying the operational boundaries and the nature of US involvement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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