The top leader of the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua died during an attack carried out by the Southern Command in Venezuelan territory, marking a milestone in the fight against narco-terrorism in the region.
The news was revealed on Friday night through the social media accounts of the U.S. President. Trump detailed that the operation was a direct action against the capo's hideout: "Under my orders, the U.S. Southern Command carried out a rapid and lethal kinetic strike to eliminate 'Niño Guerrero', the infamous leader of Tren de Aragua, one of the most notorious terrorist organizations on the planet." The message was accompanied by a video showing the impact of a projectile on a rural house with a green roof, located in the state of Bolívar, in southern Venezuela.
Meanwhile, the government of the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, confirmed the death of the criminal, stating that it was "a joint operation between security agencies" of both countries. According to Caracas' official statement, the mafia leader was "neutralized" after clashes with criminal structures in an illegal gold mining area, where the Venezuelan army had "specialized technological support" provided by Washington. Héctor Guerrero Flores, 42, led an organization that originated in Tocorón prison and extended its "tentacles" throughout Latin America, even reaching the United States.
The Tren de Aragua had become public enemy number one in countries like Chile and Peru, controlling networks of hired killers, prostitution, kidnapping, and human trafficking. Trump, who had offered five million dollars for his capture, praised the effectiveness of the current cooperation with Caracas: "This action was closely coordinated with our friends in Venezuela (referring to the Rodríguez brothers' government), with whom we are collaborating very well. As a result, these terrorists no longer have a safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else."
The President went further in his warning to criminals: "Under my leadership, we will find these ruthless murderers and drug lords wherever they are and send them to the depths of hell, where they belong." This operation represents the second major U.S. military action on Venezuelan soil this year, following the historic capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3.
Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, emphasized that this intervention "underscores the shared commitment between both countries to fight against narco-terrorists and deny them any safe haven in our hemisphere." Finally, Donald Trump dedicated the success of the mission to the memory of Jocelyn Nungaray and Laken Reilly, young victims of Tren de Aragua on U.S. soil, reaffirming that his administration will not rest until eradicating the groups that threaten the peace of American families. With the "neutralization" of 'Niño Guerrero', one of the darkest chapters of contemporary organized crime on the continent comes to a close.