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 | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-s-safest-countries-in-2026-did-india-make-it-to-the-top-10-global-peace-index-2026-1781246718561">World's Safest Countries in 2026: Did India make it to the top 10? Here's where it ranks</a><h2>Trump shares footage of lethal kinetic strike</h2>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. Watch the video here:

The US president also used the announcement to highlight his administration's broader campaign against transnational criminal groups. 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 | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-delays-ali-khamenei-funeral-when-will-the-slain-supreme-leader-be-laid-to-rest-1781227414587">Iran again delays Ali Khamenei's funeral: Why the slain supreme leader remains unburied after 100 days</a><h2>What is Tren de Aragua?</h2>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.

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 shares footage of lethal kinetic strike 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. Watch the video here:

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.

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

Officials in Texas on Monday designated a Venezuelan gang called the Tren de Aragua as a "foreign terrorist group" and endorsed Donald Trump's claim that many migrants crossing into the United States were released from prisons in Latin America.

The Tren de Aragua is an international criminal organisation that operates in several Latin American countries and engages in extortion, homicide, drug trafficking and smuggling of people, authorities say.

Because of a political and economic crisis in Venezuela, many people from that country are allowed to enter the United States and apply for asylum.

But Texas's top border official, Mike Banks, argued that Venezuela "has released prisoners with one condition: you leave Venezuela and don't come back."

He said the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is encouraging such people to come to the United States with what Banks called an open border policy.

Immigration advocates meanwhile say the Biden administration has harshly cracked down on the border with undue restrictions on people wishing to cross and seek asylum.&nbsp;

Appearing at the same press conference as Banks, Governor Greg Abbot formally declared Tren de Aragua a "foreign terrorist organisation."

This allows the authorities to go after the gang under a beefed up anti-terrorism law and also allows for the creation of a task force assigned specifically to fight the group.

The move came a week after the presidential debate in which Trump accused Harris baselessly of allowing millions of undocumented immigrants to cross to the United States from Mexico after being released from prisons or mental health care facilities.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
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Officials in Texas on Monday designated a Venezuelan gang called the Tren de Aragua as a "foreign terrorist group" and endorsed Donald Trump's claim that many migrants crossing into the United States were released from prisons in Latin America.

Officials in Texas on Monday designated a Venezuelan gang called the Tren de Aragua as a "foreign terrorist group" and endorsed Donald Trump's claim that many migrants crossing into the United States were released from prisons in Latin America. The Tren de Aragua is an international criminal organisation that operates in several Latin American countries and engages in extortion, homicide, drug trafficking and smuggling of people, authorities say. Because of a political and economic crisis in Venezuela, many people from that country are allowed to enter the United States and apply for asylum. But Texas's top border official, Mike Banks, argued that Venezuela "has released prisoners with one condition: you leave Venezuela and don't come back." He said the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is encouraging such people to come to the United States with what Banks called an open border policy. Immigration advocates meanwhile say the Biden administration has harshly cracked down on the border with undue restrictions on people wishing to cross and seek asylum. Appearing at the same press conference as Banks, Governor Greg Abbot formally declared Tren de Aragua a "foreign terrorist organisation." This allows the authorities to go after the gang under a beefed up anti-terrorism law and also allows for the creation of a task force assigned specifically to fight the group. The move came a week after the presidential debate in which Trump accused Harris baselessly of allowing millions of undocumented immigrants to cross to the United States from Mexico after being released from prisons or mental health care facilities. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Texas declares Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang a 'terrorist' group

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

Texas declares Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang a 'terrorist' group