Trump claims Venezuelan gang leader ‘Nino Guerrero’ killed in US strike

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that a high-profile leader of Venezuela’s notorious criminal network “Tren de Aragua” has been killed in a targeted American military operation, marking a major development in Washington’s ongoing crackdown on transnational crime groups.

Trump stated that the strike, carried out by the U.S. military’s Southern Command, resulted in the death of Hector Rustenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as “Nino Guerrero,” who was identified as a top figure within the Venezuelan gang. According to his remarks, the operation was conducted with coordination involving Venezuelan authorities, although no detailed confirmation has been provided independently.

The U.S. Department of Defense, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, also confirmed that a military strike took place earlier this week targeting a high-value individual linked to organized crime networks operating across Latin America.

International media reports describe Nino Guerrero as a key figure in the criminal organization Tren de Aragua, which has been accused of involvement in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, money laundering, and cross-border criminal activities. The group has expanded its influence beyond Venezuela into several countries across the region, prompting increased international security concerns.

U.S. authorities had previously placed Guerrero on a most-wanted list, and the State Department had offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture. Officials considered him a significant figure in coordinating illicit networks tied to violence and organized crime.

The operation has not yet been fully detailed, and key questions remain about the exact location of the strike, the intelligence used, and whether any additional targets were involved. Venezuelan authorities have so far not issued an official statement confirming or denying the reported killing.

Security analysts say that if confirmed, the development could represent one of the most significant blows to Tren de Aragua’s leadership structure in recent years. However, they also caution that such groups often have decentralized networks, meaning leadership losses may not immediately dismantle their operations.

The claim has already sparked international attention, with observers closely watching for official confirmation and further details from both Washington and Caracas. As the situation develops, the incident is expected to add further tension to already strained regional security dynamics across Latin America.