Trump Announces U.S. Airstrikes Killed Tren De Aragua Leader

President Donald Trump announced Friday the U.S. military had eliminated the alleged leader of the notorious Tren de Aragua terrorist group.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that U.S. Southern Command killed Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, through a “swift and lethal kinetic strike.” The mission was “closely coordinated” with the Venezuelan government, highlighting a major shift since the capture of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

“At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Niño Guerrero, the infamous leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organizations on Planet Earth,” Trump stated. “Before I returned to office, Joe Biden opened our Southern Border to millions of Illegal Criminals, and allowed this foreign army to rape, maim, and murder American Citizens with total impunity. During my Campaign, I pledged to expel these monsters from our Country, and bring Justice to the families of those they slaughtered, including the precious 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, 22-year-old Laken Reilly, and countless other beautiful souls. With this action, the United States Military has brought retribution for them, their families, and their loved ones.”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the strikes took place in the days preceding the president’s announcement, and that the operation underscored “the shared U.S. and Venezuelan commitment to take the fight to narco-terrorists and deny them any safe haven in our hemisphere.”