US military kills Tren de Aragua leader in joint operation with Venezuela
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that a US military strike killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias "Niño Guerrero", the leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua. Trump stated the operation was conducted by US Southern Command and coordinated with Venezuelan authorities. Source: AP News The Venezuelan government confirmed the death, reporting that "during the development of the operation there were clashes with members of these criminal structures, in which Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores was neutralized." Source: EMOL The operation took place in the state of Bolívar, southeastern Venezuela. Source: El Español
Background
Guerrero had been a fugitive since 2023 after a Venezuelan raid on the Tocorón prison, the gang's former base. He was indicted in New York on charges including organized crime and terrorism financing, with a $5 million US reward for his capture. Source: La Vanguardia Trump linked the strike to his immigration agenda, citing victims such as 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray and 22-year-old Laken Riley. Source: Clarín The US had designated Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization earlier in 2025. Source: El Caribe
Discrepancies
While Trump claimed "excellent" cooperation with Venezuela, some reports note that the Venezuelan government had not initially confirmed participation. Source: La Voz The operation was described by the Pentagon as taking place at a Tren de Aragua complex days prior. Source: AP News
Sources
6 quotes“The president Donald Trump announced on Friday that a 'swift and lethal kinetic strike' by the United States killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, whom he called 'the infamous leader' of the Tren de Aragua gang.”
“During the development of the operation there were clashes with members of these criminal structures, in which Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias 'Niño Guerrero', ringleader of a criminal organization, was neutralized.”
“The State Department offered a five million dollar reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction.”
“During my campaign, I committed to expel these monsters from our country and to bring justice to the families of their victims, including little Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, Laken Reilly, 22, and many others.”
“This Friday the Government of Venezuela confirmed the death of Héctor Guerrero Flores and explained that it was achieved thanks to a joint operation with the United States in the state of Bolívar.”
“So far, the Venezuelan government has not issued an official confirmation on the operation.”