Trump said on Truth Social that the United States Southern Command carried out a “swift and lethal kinetic strike” against Guerrero.
Washington had identified him as the leader of the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua.
Venezuela confirmed Guerrero’s death during a joint operation. Its communications ministry said security forces shared intelligence and technical support with US officials.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Venezuelan security forces helped conduct the operation. US Southern Command said the strike targeted a Tren de Aragua compound on June 12, 2026.
Who was Niño Guerrero?
Guerrero, also known as Niño Guerrero, led Tren de Aragua after the group emerged from Tocorón prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state.
US authorities accused him of turning the prison gang into a transnational criminal network.
The US Department of Justice had charged Guerrero with offences linked to racketeering, terrorism support, drug trafficking and firearms.
President Donald Trump said US forces carried out a strike that killed Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, the leader of Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua https://t.co/JrF03xNhXS pic.twitter.com/qjdFTAFcKo
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 13, 2026The US State Department had offered up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest. Tren de Aragua expanded across Latin America, the United States and Spain, according to US officials.
Read: US Senate Moves to Curb Trump’s Venezuela War Powers in Rare Rebuke
Authorities have linked the group to migrant smuggling, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering and drug trafficking.
The strike followed wider US action against alleged cartel targets in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. US forces have also targeted suspected drug-smuggling vessels since 2025.
