US President Donald Trump said one of Latin America’s most wanted crime bosses, Héctor “Niño” Guerrero, was killed in an operation targeting the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Trump described the action as a major victory against organised crime and said it was carried out with cooperation from Venezuelan authorities.
Venezuela later confirmed Guerrero’s death, saying security forces had targeted the fugitive gang leader during an operation in the country. Guerrero, who led the powerful Tren de Aragua network, had been on the run since escaping from Tocorón prison in 2023 and was accused of overseeing criminal activities across several countries.
Guerrero led Tren de Aragua, a gang that grew from a prison-based group in Venezuela into a powerful transnational criminal organisation. Over the years, the network expanded across several countries and became linked to crimes including drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, kidnapping and money laundering.
According to officials, the operation was made possible through intelligence-sharing and coordination between Venezuelan and US authorities. The action reportedly took place in Venezuela’s Bolívar state, where security forces have been conducting operations against armed criminal groups.
Guerrero had been on the run since 2023, when he escaped from Tocorón prison ahead of a major government raid. His disappearance embarrassed Venezuelan authorities and triggered a years-long manhunt. The United States later offered a reward for information leading to his capture and designated Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organisation.
Security experts say Guerrero’s death could deal a serious blow to the gang, which has built a reputation as one of the region’s most dangerous criminal networks. However, they caution that such groups often continue operating even after losing key leaders, making it unclear how much the organisation will weaken in the long term.
The operation is also notable because it reflects rare cooperation between Caracas and Washington, whose relations have remained strained for years. Officials from both countries presented the mission as an important step in the fight against organised crime and regional security threats.
