President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Southern Command conducted a military operation to eliminate Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as ‘Niño Guerrero’. He was an alleged leader of the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump described the military action as a ‘swift and lethal kinetic strike.’ He labeled Tren de Aragua as one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations globally. The strike was highlighted as part of fulfilling a campaign commitment to target transnational criminal organizations and ensuring justice for crimes linked to the gang. Trump cited prominent cases central to his administration’s focus on immigration and public safety, including the murder of Laken Reilly.
The operation was conducted with assistance from Venezuelan authorities.
Newsweek contacted the Pentagon for further details following the announcement.
Operation and Policy Impact
The statement linked the military operation to Trump’s administration’s larger policies on border security, immigration enforcement, and dismantling criminal operations in the Americas. Trump criticized former President Joe Biden’s border policies, claiming they facilitated harm by ‘Illegal Criminals’ to Americans. He argued that Tren de Aragua now lacks a safe haven in Venezuela and pledged ongoing actions against them.
An unclassified video accompanied Trump’s post, depicting a building with a green roof. The footage showed an object striking the building, followed by flames and smoke.
Charges and Allegations
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York previously indicted Guerrero Flores. The federal indictment alleged his leadership of Tren de Aragua as a multinational racketeering organization. Prosecutors accused him of managing extensive criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, firearms offenses, extortion, and violence.
Authorities described Tren de Aragua as a structured group expanding its operations beyond Venezuela into North and South America and parts of Europe. The group reportedly operated local cells led by centralized leadership.
The indictment suggested Guerrero Flores coordinated with narcotics networks, transporting large cocaine shipments from South America to the United States via Central American and Mexican routes. Allegations indicated that the organization exerted control over territories, funding its operations through violence and corruption.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, ‘As alleged, Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores masterminded Tren de Aragua’s transformation from a Venezuelan prison gang to a transnational terrorist organization responsible for widespread violence, extortion, and drug trafficking across North America, South America, and Europe.’ He emphasized the commitment to dismantling the cartels and transnational gangs threatening communities.
‘In the Southern District of New York, over 30 members or associates of Tren de Aragua face federal charges. We remain dedicated to eradicating the cartels and gangs bringing deadly drugs, pursuing violence and corruption as a lifestyle. This commitment aligns with what New Yorkers expect and deserve,’ Clayton concluded.
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