United States Claims Killing of One of the World’s Most Dangerous Criminals, Niño Guerrero

International Desk: PNN

The United States has claimed that Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, better known as “Niño Guerrero,” the top leader of Venezuela’s notorious criminal organization Tren de Aragua, has been killed in a U.S. military operation.

In a social media post on Friday, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that, under his direction, the United States Southern Command carried out a “swift and powerful airstrike” targeting the gang leader. He described the organization as one of the world’s most violent and dangerous criminal networks.

According to information released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the operation targeted a gang-related facility in southeastern Venezuela. Officials also claimed that the mission involved coordination between U.S. and Venezuelan security forces.

The Venezuelan government separately confirmed Flores’ death in a statement, saying that he was killed during a confrontation with criminal gang members in Bolívar State.

According to the Trump administration, Tren de Aragua is an international criminal network involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and violent crimes. In 2025, the United States officially designated the organization as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization.”

As part of broader efforts against the gang, the United States has previously conducted several maritime and aerial operations targeting the group. Authorities have claimed that numerous suspected gang members were killed in those missions. However, such operations have also drawn criticism from international legal experts, who have raised concerns about possible extrajudicial killings.

Niño Guerrero had been a fugitive since escaping from a Venezuelan prison in 2023. He was also facing charges in U.S. courts related to drug trafficking and organized criminal activities, and a monetary reward had been offered for information leading to his capture.

According to analysts, the operation could create fresh tensions in relations between the United States and Venezuela while also affecting regional security dynamics. At the same time, it is likely to intensify debate over the legality of using military force to combat international criminal organizations.