Who is Niño Guerrero? Trump announces leader of 'bloodthirsty terrorist organisation' Tren de Aragua killed in 'swift and lethal' US strike

Donald Trump says US forces killed Héctor "Niño" Guerrero Flores, the alleged leader of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang. Here's who he was, why he was wanted and what Tren de Aragua is.

Live TV LOGIN v logout Live TV Latest World Pulse World India Entertainment Hollywood Bollywood Sports Cricket Football Opinions videos Photos TV Show Lifestyle Science Tech Wion / World / Who is Niño Guerrero? Trump announces leader of 'bloodthirsty terrorist organisation' Tren de Aragua killed in 'swift and lethal' US strike Who is Niño Guerrero? Trump announces leader of 'bloodthirsty terrorist organisation' Tren de Aragua killed in 'swift and lethal' US strike Edited By Moohita Kaur Garg Published: Jun 13, 2026, 07:12 IST | Updated: Jun 13, 2026, 08:16 IST US President Donald Trump Photograph: (AFP) Story highlights Donald Trump says US forces killed Héctor "Niño" Guerrero Flores, the alleged leader of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang. Here's who he was, why he was wanted and what Tren de Aragua is. US President Donald Trump on Friday (Jun 12) took to social media to announce that American forces had killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, better known as Niño Guerrero, the alleged leader of Venezuela's notorious Tren de Aragua gang, in what he described as a "swift and lethal" military operation. In a lengthy post on Truth Social late Friday, Trump said the strike was carried out by the US Southern Command and was coordinated "closely with our friends in Venezuela". He claimed the operation had eliminated the man he called the leader of "one of the most bloodthirsty terrorist organisations on planet Earth." The White House, Pentagon and Southern Command had not immediately released additional details about the operation, including where the strike took place or how it was carried out. Also read | World's Safest Countries in 2026: Did India make it to the top 10? Here's where it ranks Trump also shared footage that appeared to show a building being struck, with a rooftop engulfed in smoke and debris moments after impact. The video was posted alongside his announcement, though independent verification of the footage was not immediately available. 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He linked the operation to his pledge to crack down on illegal immigration and target gangs that Washington has designated as foreign terrorist organisations. "Early in my Administration, I delivered on my promise to designate Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, deport thousands of evil criminals, and wage war against the Cartels, who have long been waging war against our Citizens, while weak leaders left America helpless and defensive." Also read | Iran again delays Ali Khamenei's funeral: Why the slain supreme leader remains unburied after 100 days Tren de Aragua emerged from Venezuela's prison system and has grown into one of Latin America's most feared criminal networks. US authorities have accused the group of involvement in crimes ranging from drug trafficking and extortion to kidnappings and murders across multiple countries. Guerrero had previously been charged by US prosecutors with racketeering conspiracy and providing material support to terrorists. Moohita Kaur Garg Moohita Kaur Garg is a senior sub-editor at WION with over four years of experience covering the volatile intersections of geopolitics and global security. From reporting on global ...Read More