Héctor Guerrero, the founder and leader of Tren de Aragua, was killed during a US military operation in Venezuela, according to the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Trump said the operation was conducted by US Southern Command in co-ordination with Venezuelan authorities. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described the action as a targeted strike against a compound allegedly housing Guerrero, who was widely known as “El Niño”.
The Venezuelan government said the operation formed part of a broader campaign against organised crime groups operating in Bolívar state, with intelligence sharing and technological support from both countries.
Key developments:
- The operation was reportedly co-ordinated with Venezuelan authorities.
- Tren de Aragua was designated a terrorist organisation by the US in 2025.
- Anti-crime operations have intensified in Venezuela’s mineral-rich Bolívar region.
The strike comes amid wider security operations targeting criminal groups and illegal mining networks in southern Venezuela.
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