U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a 'swift and lethal' American strike resulted in the death of Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, whom he described as the 'notorious leader' of the 'El Tren de Aragua' gang.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: 'The U.S. Southern Command executed a swift and lethal strike to eliminate Guerrero, the leader of El Tren de Aragua,' noting that the operation was carried out in 'close coordination' with Venezuela, now led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez after Nicolas Maduro was detained during a U.S. military operation in January.
Trump did not specify the location of the operation that resulted in Guerrero's death.
The announcement featured a short video capturing an aerial view of a green-roofed building surrounded by trees before an explosion sends up a thick plume of smoke.
Trump added, 'The terrorists of El Tren de Aragua have no safe haven, not in Venezuela nor anywhere else.'
The United States has classified 'El Tren de Aragua' as a terrorist organization.
In December, authorities revealed that a federal court in New York had charged Guerrero with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including providing support to terrorists in offenses spanning over a decade.
New York U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated the gang is responsible for countless acts of violence, extortion, and drug trafficking in North and South America and Europe.
The U.S. State Department had offered rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero's arrest.
Guerrero, known as Nino Guerrero (the child warrior), is 42 years old and had been in hiding since 2025.