The United States has confirmed that a high-profile airstrike targeting a Venezuelan criminal network has resulted in the death of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as “Niño Guerrero,” the alleged leader of the Tren de Aragua gang. President Donald Trump announced the operation through a post on Truth Social, describing it as a “swift and lethal kinetic strike” carried out by U.S. forces in coordination with Venezuelan authorities. The incident marks one of the most significant cross-border actions against organized crime in recent years.

According to official statements and posts shared by senior U.S. defense officials, the strike was conducted earlier this week against a Tren de Aragua compound in Venezuela. Trump claimed the operation specifically targeted Guerrero Flores, calling him the “infamous leader” of what he described as one of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. He also shared footage reportedly showing an aerial strike destroying a building believed to be part of the gang’s infrastructure.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth later confirmed that the mission had been executed in coordination with Venezuelan security forces. Venezuelan government officials also acknowledged the operation, stating that intelligence-sharing and technical cooperation were involved. They reported that clashes occurred during the strike, resulting in Guerrero’s death. The U.S. Southern Command further described the target as a Tren de Aragua compound linked to organized criminal activity.

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Tren de Aragua has been designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization and is accused of involvement in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and violent crimes across Latin America and beyond. Guerrero himself had previously been indicted in a U.S. federal court in New York on charges including racketeering conspiracy and providing support for terrorist-related activities. Authorities had also offered a reward for information leading to his capture.

The operation comes amid heightened U.S. efforts to dismantle transnational criminal networks operating in the region. Officials have pointed to Tren de Aragua’s expanding influence across borders as a growing security concern affecting both North and South America. While the strike does not signal a formal declaration of war, it highlights an increasingly aggressive approach toward designated criminal-terrorist groups and reflects deeper security cooperation between Washington and Caracas.

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