The recent US military operation has resulted in the death of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, leader of the Aragua Train gang. President Donald Trump described the strike as ‘kinetic, quick, and lethal’. The US considers the Aragua Train a terrorist organization. Guerrero Flores faced charges in a New York federal court for various crimes, including providing support to terrorists.
Federal Prosecutor Jay Clayton noted the group’s involvement in violence, extortion, and drug trafficking across North America, South America, and Europe. Trump nominated Clayton as Director of National Intelligence recently.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X, confirming the attack took place at an Aragua Train complex in Venezuela. Later, in Caracas, the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez corroborated Guerrero Flores’ death during a collaborative security operation between Venezuela and the US.
During the operation, organized crime structures active in the region were dismantled. Special technological support and intelligence sharing between the two countries facilitated this mission.
The US State Department previously offered rewards up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero Flores’ arrest. President Trump referred to Guerrero Flores by his alias ‘Niño Guerrero’ on Truth Social, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to pursuing these criminals globally.
A video showed a small building with a green roof being destroyed, highlighting joint efforts to combat narcoterrorism in the hemisphere. Venezuelan officials have not yet commented publicly on the operation’s details.
Trump’s administration has attacked vessels linked to drug trafficking, resulting in 207 deaths since targeting the so-called ‘narcoterrorists’ in September 2025. The US blames the Aragua Train for urban violence and drug trafficking.
Despite contrary US intelligence reports, Trump alleged Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro controlled the gang. US forces captured Maduro for facing drug charges in the US.
The Aragua Train originated over a decade ago in a chaotic prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state. As millions of Venezuelans migrated seeking better opportunities, the gang expanded. Guerrero Flores returned to Aragua prison in 2013 amidst economic turmoil, turning it into a self-sufficient community.
The gang’s exact size remains unknown, but countries with large Venezuelan migrant populations, such as Peru and Colombia, have linked them to regional violence. However, unlike other Latin American criminal organizations, the Aragua Train does not significantly engage in cross-border cocaine trafficking, per InSight Crime.
In Venezuela, gang leaders reportedly partake in illegal activities, including gold mining. Trump campaigned for re-election with strong stances on immigration and crime. Though his popularity has waned over economic management, immigration continues to be a strong point for Trump.
Reporters Regina García Cano in Mexico City and Jorge Rueda in Caracas contributed to this article.