Trump says US military killed leader of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that American forces had killed Hector Guerrero Flores, the fugitive leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, in what he described as a targeted military operation carried out at his direction. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the strike was conducted by US Southern Command against a group he labeled "one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organizations on Planet Earth."

US Southern Command executes 'swift and lethal' strike

"At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Nino Guerrero," Trump wrote, using the alias by which Guerrero Flores is widely known. The president also shared footage of the operation, vowing that remaining members would be pursued "anytime, anyplace."

Trump blames predecessor for border 'impunity'

Trump accused the Biden administration of enabling the gang's expansion, stating that "before I returned to office, Joe Biden opened our Southern Border to millions of Illegal Criminals." He charged that these policies had allowed Tren de Aragua to "rape, maim, and murder American Citizens with total impunity" before his administration intervened.

The president framed the strike as justice for victims, saying the operation delivered "retribution for them, their families, and their loved ones." The group was previously designated as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" by Washington, and Trump noted that thousands of suspected members had been deported in recent months.

Operation coordinated with Venezuelan authorities

Trump emphasized that the military action was carried out in close coordination with Venezuelan officials, stating that "this action was coordinated closely with our friends in Venezuela, with whom we are working very well." He warned that the gang "no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else."

The operation comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas, though Trump suggested bilateral cooperation on security matters has improved. US authorities have pursued Tren de Aragua leadership for years as the group expanded operations beyond Venezuela into neighboring countries and the United States.