Trump says US strike killed Tren de Aragua leader Niño Guerrero

Saturday, June 13, 2026Confirmed

Politics Desk

What we know

President Donald Trump said U.S. Southern Command carried out a lethal strike that killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as Niño Guerrero, the longtime leader of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. Trump said the action was coordinated with Venezuelan partners and posted footage he described as the strike.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strike hit a Tren de Aragua compound in Venezuela earlier in the week and that Guerrero was confirmed killed. Venezuela’s information ministry said the joint operation in Bolívar state neutralized Guerrero during clashes with criminal groups. Tren de Aragua has been a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization since early 2025.

What's confirmed

Trump: SOUTHCOM kinetic strike executed Niño Guerrero; coordinated with Venezuela (BBC/NBC/CNN/Al Jazeera).
Hegseth: strike earlier this week on TdA compound; Guerrero confirmed killed (BBC/NBC/CNN).
Venezuela: joint US-Venezuelan operation in Bolívar state; Guerrero neutralized in clashes (NBC/Al Jazeera/CNBC).
TdA designated U.S. foreign terrorist organization; Guerrero was ICE most-wanted fugitive context (CNN/BBC).

What's still developing

Independent forensic confirmation of Guerrero’s death and strike location details.
Whether remaining TdA faction leaders in the Orinoco mining arc are next targets.
Legal and congressional scrutiny of U.S. lethal operations against designated cartels inside Venezuela.

Sources

BBC News — US kills leader of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang in air strike, Trump says link
NBC News — Trump says alleged leader of Tren de Aragua gang killed in US strike link
CNN — Top Tren de Aragua leader killed in US military strike, Trump announces link
Al Jazeera — Trump says US strike killed Tren de Aragua gang boss with Venezuelan help link