RismadarVoice Reporters, June 13, 2026
U.S. President, Donald Trump has announced that Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as “Niño Guerrero” and identified as the alleged leader of the Venezuelan criminal organisation Tren de Aragua, was killed during a joint military and security operation involving the United States and Venezuela.
In a statement posted on social media recently, Trump said the operation was carried out under his directive by the U.S. Southern Command and resulted in the death of the man he described as the head of one of the world’s most violent criminal groups.
The Venezuelan government confirmed the operation, stating that security forces from both countries conducted a coordinated mission in Bolívar State, southeastern Venezuela. According to officials, armed clashes broke out during the raid, leading to the death of Guerrero Flores and other members of the criminal network.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed the operation, saying American forces targeted a Tren de Aragua compound in Venezuela as part of the mission.
Tren de Aragua became a major focus of the Trump administration’s immigration and security policies following Trump’s return to office in 2025. The U.S. State Department designated the group a foreign terrorist organisation in February of that year, citing its alleged involvement in organised crime across several countries.
Guerrero Flores had been wanted by U.S. authorities on multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy and providing support to terrorist activities. In December, federal prosecutors accused him of transforming Tren de Aragua from a prison-based gang in Venezuela into a transnational criminal organisation. The U.S. government had offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
The alleged gang leader was also sanctioned by Washington in 2025, alongside several associates, over accusations linked to drug trafficking, human smuggling, money laundering and other criminal activities.
Trump described the operation as the fulfilment of a key campaign promise to crack down on criminal organisations operating across U.S. borders. He praised the cooperation between Washington and Caracas, saying both countries worked closely to carry out the mission.
Hegseth echoed that sentiment, stating that the operation demonstrated a shared commitment by the United States and Venezuela to combat organised crime and deny criminal groups safe havens in the Western Hemisphere.
Relations between the two countries have shifted significantly since the removal and arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. Maduro is currently facing multiple criminal charges in the United States, including allegations related to narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. He has denied the accusations and pleaded not guilty.
According to reports, the operation against Guerrero Flores marks one of the most high-profile actions taken by the Trump administration in its broader campaign against transnational criminal organisations and drug trafficking networks in the region.
