According to Trump, the operation was carried out by US Southern Command under his direction and resulted in the death of Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as Niño Guerrero, the alleged head of the criminal network.

“At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Niño Guerrero,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, describing him as the leader of “one of the most bloodthirsty terrorist organisations on planet Earth.”

He also said the action was part of a broader campaign against drug trafficking and violent crime linked to the group, which he claimed had exploited border vulnerabilities in previous years. Trump further stated that the operation was coordinated with Venezuelan authorities.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed the operation on X, saying that the strike targeted a Tren de Aragua compound and that Guerrero was killed during the mission. He added that the action reflected continued cooperation between US and regional security partners in combating narco-terrorism.

What is Tren de Aragua?

According to the US Department of Justice, Tren de Aragua originated in Venezuela’s Aragua state in the 2000s and initially operated from Tocorón prison, which it reportedly used as an operational base for coordinating criminal activity.

The gang has since expanded beyond Venezuela, establishing networks across Latin America, North America, and parts of Europe. US authorities allege the group is involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and other violent crimes.

Over time, Tren de Aragua has evolved into a transnational criminal organisation with a growing international footprint, prompting multiple countries to increase enforcement actions against its members.