Who Was 'Niño Guerrero,' Tren de Aragua Leader Killed in Trump-Announced Operation?

President Donald Trump announced the death of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as "Niño Guerrero," the alleged leader of the Venezuelan organized crime group Tren de Aragua. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that U.S. Southern Command carried out a "rapid and lethal kinetic strike" that successfully eliminated Guerrero.

Trump further claimed the operation was coordinated with the Venezuelan government, asserting that "terrorists of the Tren de Aragua no longer have a sanctuary in Venezuela or anywhere else." He posted a video appearing to show an aerial attack on a building, which then burst into flames.

The Venezuelan government issued a statement confirming that a "combined operation" between its security forces and U.S. entities led to the dismantling of organized crime structures in the southeastern state of Bolívar. The statement noted that during the operation, clashes occurred with criminal elements, resulting in the neutralization of Guerrero Flores, identified as the leader of a criminal organization.

According to Venezuela, the operation received specialized technological support and was developed through cooperation and intelligence sharing between the two countries' authorities. The government congratulated the officials and institutions involved in the "successful operation." The U.S. State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero's capture, highlighting his status as one of Venezuela's most dangerous individuals and the leader of a transnational criminal enterprise.

Tren de Aragua originated in Venezuela and has expanded its operations across Latin America and into the United States. Guerrero's death marks a significant blow to the organization, which has been linked to various illicit activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and human trafficking. The coordinated effort between the U.S. and Venezuela signifies a shared commitment to combating transnational crime.