US and Venezuela Joint Operation Targets Tren de Aragua’s Top Leader
Who was Niño Guerrero The alleged – On a Friday evening, US President Donald Trump unveiled an unexpected development via his social media platform, Truth Social. He revealed that the United States and Venezuela had executed a coordinated operation to eliminate Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known by the alias “Niño Guerrero.” According to Trump, the target was the leader of Tren de Aragua, a criminal syndicate labeled a Foreign Terrorist Organization during Trump’s second term.
“This was a quick and decisive strike,” Trump stated. “Under my leadership, we will find these ruthless drug lords anytime, anywhere, and send them to the depths of hell where they belong.”
The operation, reported to have taken place in the southeast of Bolívar state, involved shared intelligence and technical resources between the two nations. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed the location and emphasized the collaboration. Until this revelation, Guerrero Flores’ location had remained a mystery, with authorities unable to track him for years.
A Fugitive with a Decades-Long Criminal Record
Guerrero Flores, born in Maracay, Aragua state, in 1983, was identified as a key figure in Tren de Aragua’s rise. A Venezuelan Supreme Court ruling from 2018 noted his criminal activities began in 2005, when he was arrested for the murder of an official. He escaped from Tocorón Prison in September 2012, later reappearing in 2013. By 2015, the gang had solidified its dominance, extending influence across Venezuela and beyond.
Guerrero Flores was listed in the State Department’s records as “infamous,” yet his biography contained minimal details. His height and weight were labeled “unknown,” and only a grainy black-and-white image accompanied his profile. Despite this, his role in the organization’s evolution was significant. Tren de Aragua, under his leadership, expanded its reach to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and even Brazil and Costa Rica, as noted by Transparencia Venezuela.
The US’s Role and International Reach
In December 2025, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York indicted Guerrero Flores for orchestrating terrorist acts within the country. The $5 million reward for his capture or conviction highlighted his perceived threat. However, his escape from Tocorón Prison in 2023, when the Venezuelan government took control of the facility, revealed the extent of his influence. Authorities claim he became a fugitive and remained at large until his death.
Guerrero Flores’ legacy is tied to Tren de Aragua’s transformation from a local gang into a regional powerhouse. The group’s control over San Vicente, his hometown neighborhood, underscores its growing power. Mexican and US officials have also linked the syndicate to criminal activities across borders, cementing its status as a transnational threat.
