Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, widely known as “Niño Guerrero” and identified as the leader of the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua, has been killed during a joint operation involving U.S. and Venezuelan authorities, according to official statements released on Friday.
Tren de Aragua, which originated in Venezuela and has expanded its operations across several Latin American countries, has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States. The group has been linked to activities including drug trafficking, extortion, human trafficking, kidnappings, and other violent crimes.
Venezuela’s Ministry of Communications said security forces engaged members of criminal networks during an operation in Bolívar State, where Guerrero Flores was killed. Authorities described the mission as a coordinated effort that involved intelligence sharing and specialized technological support between the two countries.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Southern Command had carried out what he described as a “swift and lethal” strike against Guerrero Flores. He said the operation was conducted in close coordination with Venezuelan authorities.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed that a strike targeted a Tren de Aragua compound in Venezuela earlier in the week.
Guerrero Flores had been the subject of criminal investigations in the United States. Federal prosecutors in New York previously charged him with racketeering, firearms offenses, and providing support to terrorism-related activities. The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
Under Guerrero’s leadership, Tren de Aragua evolved from a prison-based gang into a multinational criminal organization with operations extending across South America, North America, and parts of Europe. Analysts have described him as the key figure behind the group’s rapid expansion beyond Venezuela.
The operation also highlights growing cooperation between Washington and Caracas following the restoration of diplomatic relations earlier this year. Both governments described the mission as a coordinated effort against organized crime.
